Mutagenic activity and PAH analysis in municipal incinerators

We have investigated the mutagenic activity of fly ash and emission gases from municipal waste incinerators. A negative relationship was obtained for complete combustion and a positive one for incomplete combustion. There were more mutagens in emission gas than in precipitated fly ash and residual ash. The total revertants per minute for emission gas discharged from the incinerator to the environment corresponded to those for 1700–3000 motor vehicle exhausts. Various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected as a result of incomplete combustion and most of the mutagenic substances were released into the environment from the municipal incinerator as volatile emission gases. Urban waste incinerators are the main source of environmental pollution which results from incomplete combustion.