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Characterizing emissions from open burning of military food waste and ration packaging compositions
Citation:
Dominguez, T., J. Aurell, B. Gullett, R. Eninger, AND D. Yamamoto. Characterizing emissions from open burning of military food waste and ration packaging compositions. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management. Springer Japan KK, Tokyo, Japan, 20(2):903-913, (2018).
Impact/Purpose:
This work documents the effect of material substitution on emissions during combustive disposal of household-type waste and packaging. This specific study has application to the open burning disposal of waste at military forward operating bases.
Description:
Emissions from open burning of Meals, Ready-To-Eat (MRE) and MRE packaging were characterized in response to inhalation concerns at military forward operating bases. Emissions from four compositions of MREs and four types of packaging were compared to assess contributions of individual components. Measurements of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and metals showed that MREs account for 70 to 90 percent of PM emissions when burned in unison with the current fiberboard container and liner, PM2.5 constitutes a vast majority of the particulates emitted from both MREs and their fiberboard packaging, and that metal emission factors were similar regardless of material tested. Measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) indicate that the targeted replacement of MRE constituents may be more effective in reducing PAH and VOC emissions than variation of fiberboard packaging designs, while polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins and -furans (PCDDs/PCDFs) emissions are believed to be more closely related to other components of a military waste stream. Variations in test materials for the MREs and fiberboards produced equivalent PM, PAH, VOC, and PCDD/F emission factors. This study provides the first representative characterization of open burning emissions associated with military rations separate from comprehensive military waste streams.
URLs/Downloads:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10163-017-0652-y
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