ENH524 Pollution and Waste Management Quiz

Course Information

• Course Title: ENH524-Pollution and Waste Management
• Department: School of Occupational and Public Health
• University: Toronto Metropolitan University

Midterm Results

• Midterm results will be available after make-up exams are completed
• Students can only see their grades currently
• Only questions answered incorrectly will be visible once the results are formally available.

Causes of Land Pollution

• Deforestation and soil erosion
• Agricultural activities (fertilizers and pesticides)
• Mining activities
• Landfills/improper waste disposal
• Industrialization
• Nuclear waste
• Sewage treatment

Waste Management

• Industrialization and modernization of society has increased waste production and the need for waste management
• Waste can be classified as:
  • Combustible
  • Sewage (municipal)
  • Solid (municipal)
  • Hazardous
• Improper disposal of waste negatively affects the environment and human health

Health Concerns from Waste

• Infectious diseases from poorly managed waste
• Contamination of drinking water
• Gas migration and leachate discharges from landfills
• Emissions of air pollutants from incinerators
• Contamination of food by waste chemicals that escape into the environment

Exposures from Landfills

• Residential use can be contaminated by volatile substances and leachate
• Drinking water and recreational use can be exposed to contaminated groundwater
• Contaminated sediments and surface runoff are pathways of contamination
• Dust from landfills can be a health concern
• Gas production from waste can be a problem
• Leaching can lead to contaminated groundwater

Hazardous Waste

• Includes wastes that may pose a threat to human health or the environment if improperly managed
• Includes materials from manufacturing/specialized industries, biomedical wastes, photo-finishing chemicals, waste pesticides, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), motor oil, unused cleaning products, discarded batteries, and radioactive materials

Hazardous Waste Regulation

• Federally regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and regulations
• Covers transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and recyclable materials
• In Ontario, regulated by the Environmental Protection Act and Regulation 347
• Hazardous waste generators, carriers, and receivers must register with the Hazardous Waste Information Network
• All off-site movement of hazardous waste and liquid industrial waste is tracked using a manifest

E-Waste

• Equipment reliant on electrical currents and electromagnetic fields
• Exposure can lead to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and toxins (lead, chromium, cadmium, mercury)
• Potential health impacts include thyroid function changes, gene expression changes, DNA damage, decreased lung function, mental health effects and reproductive effects
• Acceptable e-waste items include computers, monitors, TVs, phones, and other electronics
• Unacceptable items include batteries, ink cartridges, and VHS tapes

Solid Waste Management

• Multi-tiered approach to solid waste management, focused on waste reduction, proper handling, and disposal. Includes Source Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, Emission Controls, Proper Waste Disposal, and Cleanup of Wastes and Spills

Recycling and Composting

• Recycling diverts materials like glass, metal, plastics, and paper from the waste stream, utilizing them in new products or raw materials
• Composting breaks down organic material into simpler substances using microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi) creating a stable, humus-like product

NIMBY (Not In My Backyard)

• Opposition by residents to proposed developments in their area
• Often perceived that residents are opposed because developments are close to them
• Environmental justice principle considers the fair treatment and involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income

Toronto and Waste

• Toronto is considering a new site for its waste management
• Mayor of Ingersoll raised concern about dumping waste in the backyard
• Seeking new landfill sites

Canada's Waste Problem

• Various educational videos and resources related to Canada's waste management issues are available online.

Landfills

• Previously, solid waste was dumped into open pits and covered with soil; leading to environmental and health issues
• Modern landfills require careful site selection and preparation, leachate and gas management, and appropriate daily management and operation
• Landfill numbers are decreasing in favor of other waste management solutions
• Still the most common method in Canada

Incineration

• Controlled combustion of waste; ignition in a primary chamber, and oxidation in a secondary chamber
• Control of temperature (750-1200°C), heating time (30-90 minutes for solids), and turbulence
• Combustible air (oxygen) is necessary
• Incinerators have advantages in reducing solid waste volume to 5-10% of original volume and can generate less greenhouse gases than landfills. Some energy can also be recovered
• Disadvantages of incinerators include high build and operation costs, toxic chemical emissions and ash generation
• Waste that contains high concentrations of water or non-combustible solids cannot be handled by incinerators

Pyrolysis and Plasma Gasification

• Pyrolysis thermally decomposes waste in the absence of oxygen
• Produces syngas and other materials that can be further processed, char, and ash
• Gasification, high-temperature decomposition of waste with little to no oxygen. Converts waste materials to syngas and other materials
• Benefits include waste diversion, low emissions and energy, fuel, chemical production
• Plasma gasification is a process with a goal to turn waste into new fuel sources

Other Methods

• Durham York Energy Centre: Waste-to-energy incineration facility processes 140,000 tonnes of household garbage annually

Future of Waste Management Trends

• Data-driven waste management using sensors to gather information on waste and recycling activities
• Increased focus on monitoring and reducing food waste by businesses
• Improved business waste management practices

Canada's Zero Plastic Waste Agenda

• Federal, provincial, and territorial governments have an adopted Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste
• The plan has two phases: Phase 1 improves the circularity of plastics and Phase 2 focuses on reducing plastic pollution, raising awareness, and strengthening science
• Regulations in Canada to reduce the sale of single-use plastics

On-Going Legal Issues

• The Federal Court of Appeal granted a stay motion on a 2023 court decision on single-use plastics regulations

Textiles and Clothing

• Greenwashing is a concern due to the lack of transparency of recycled materials used in clothing
• Less than 1% of the world's fashion waste is truly recycled, mostly made from old plastic bottles

Additional Resources

• Various YouTube videos are available to provide additional information on waste and recycling.