Greenhouse gases
Various gases, including water vapor and, in particular, carbon dioxide and methane, are known as greenhouse gases. They collect in the atmosphere, absorb the sun’s rays, and then release them as heat. That’s why it’s pleasantly warm, not cold, on the earth. Increasing amounts of these gases are causing temperatures to rise. Methane is a particularly strong greenhouse gas and much worse for the environment than carbon dioxide.
Toxic slag
Slags are solids that remains following incineration. They are highly toxic and must be stored in salt domes or other disposal sites in a similar way to radioactive waste.
Fly ash
In addition to gases and liquids, tiny dust-like particles containing many different pollutants are also released during the incineration process. They are known as fly ash. These substances are so fine that, like dust, they can settle anywhere and even enter our food cycle.
Dioxins
Dioxins are created when some types of plastic, PVC and PUR, are incinerated. They are organic pollutants that occur in tiny quantities all over the world and accumulate in the food chain. They are persistent, which means they remain in the environment for a very long time. Beware – even in extremely small quantities, dioxins are very bad for your health. They can cause cancer, deformed embryos, and many other illnesses.
Related Topics
GlossaryCarbon dioxide Methane Greenhouse gas Carbon dioxide Salt domes Radioactive Pollutants Dioxins Organic Persistent Dioxins Embryos