A GIS based approach to map human health risk related to landfill disposal and incineration of wastes

The continuous growing of waste production from urban and industrial activities needs the planning and the realization of new waste management plants such as landfills, incinerators and composting. The great demand of efficient waste management practices and treatments is frequently opposed by local population living in the neighbour due to a high-risk perception posed by release of hazardous compounds in the environment from waste treatment plants. The Environmental and Human Health Risk Assessment (EHHRA) is a scientific procedure able to correctly evaluate the probability that adverse effects on the environment and/or the human health occur (or may occur) due to the exposure to one or more pollutants related to waste management. The paper presents two application of EHHRA procedure in order to quantify and map the risk posed by an incinerator and a landfill disposal urban waste plants. The two case studies are completed with the application of a sensitivity analysis through which evaluate how the risk estimates are dependent on variability and uncertainty in the parameters contributing to risk. The analysis provides a ranking of the model inputs based on their relative contributions; assuming a probability distribution function for input variables and performing a Monte Carlo simulation, output variability and uncertainty are modelled.