Global Emissions of Trace Gases, Particulate Matter, and Hazardous Air Pollutants from Open Burning of Domestic Waste
Abstract
The open burning of waste, whether at individual residences, businesses, or dump sites, is a large source of air pollutants. These emissions, however, are not included in many current emission inventories used for chemistry and climate modeling applications. This paper presents the first comprehensive and consistent estimates of the global emissions of greenhouse gases, particulate matter, reactive trace gases, and toxic compounds from open waste burning. Global emissions of CO2 from open waste burning are relatively small compared to total anthropogenic CO2; however, regional CO2 emissions, particularly in many developing countries in Asia and Africa, are substantial. Further, emissions of reactive trace gases and particulate matter from open waste burning are more significant on regional scales. For example, the emissions of PM10 from open domestic waste burning in China is equivalent to 22% of China's total reported anthropogenic PM10 emissions. The results of the emissions model presented here suggest that emissions of many air pollutants are significantly underestimated in current inventories because open waste burning is not included, consistent with studies that compare model results with available observations.
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Open waste burning results in the release of toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases.
“Open waste burning results in the release of toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs)19–21.”
From Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
Past assessments estimated global MSW generation between 2000 and 2400 Tg/yr in 2010.
“Past assessments estimated global MSW generation between 200044 to 2400 Tg/yr20 in 2010.”
From Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
Our estimate of MSW openly burned is 61% lower than the estimate of ref. 20.
“our estimate of MSW openly burned is 61% lower than the estimate of ref. 20”
From Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
In the absence of reliable waste management systems, dumping and open burning of MSW become the only alternatives to reduce waste volumes.
“In the absence of reliable waste management systems, dumping and open burning of MSW, either at residential or dumpsites, become the only alternatives to reduce waste- volumes19,20.”
From Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
It is difficult to do a quantitative uncertainty estimation because several data inputs go into the estimations.
“Regarding uncertainty, several data inputs (activity data, emission factors, type of management) go into the estimations, and therefore is difficult to do a quantitative uncertainty estimation3,20.”
From Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
Ref. 20 calculates CO2 emissions from open burning of MSW of 1413 Tg/yr in 2010, around 10-15 times higher than ref. 31,46 and this study.
“Reference 20 calculates CO2 emissions from open burning of MSW of 1413 Tg/yr in 2010, estimate that is around 10–15 times higher than that from ref. 31,46 and the one from this study.”
From Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
Large uncertainties are related to emission factors for air pollutants and particulate matter because they are estimated for total MSW and not specified by MSW fraction.
“Although we adopted the most recognized emission factors in the scientific arena, we acknowledge that large uncertainties are related to the values (uncertainties can be seen in ref. 20) as those are estimated for total MSW and not specified by MSW fraction.”
From Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
In 2010, emissions of PM2.5, BC, and OC have been assessed at 6.1, 0.6 and 5.1 Tg, respectively.
“In 2010, emissions of PM2.5, BC, and OC have been assessed at 6.1, 0.6 and 5.1 Tg, respectively20.”
From Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
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- Authors
- Wiedinmyer, C., Yokelson, R. J., & Gullett, B. K.
- Affiliations
- NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (US)
- University of Montana (US)
- Environmental Protection Agency (US)
- Corresponding author
- Wiedinmyer, Christine
- Venue
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2014-07-28
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 16
- Pages
- 9523-9530
- ISSN
- 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5851
- OpenAlex
- W2321241648
- Cited by
- 527
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 39 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 77 · 2022: 75 · 2021: 55 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 48 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 9.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation
- National Center for Atmospheric Research
- University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Municipal Solid Waste Management
- Keywords
- open waste burning, household waste, greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, reactive trace gases, hazardous air pollutants, emission inventory, CO2 emissions, PM10, developing countries, China, Asia, Africa, emission modeling
- MeSH terms
- Africa, Air Pollutants, Asia, Carbon Dioxide, China, Developing Countries, Gases, Models, Theoretical, Incineration, Waste Management, Particulate Matter
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