Minimization of combustion by-products: Toxic metal emissions

Incinerators may release trace amounts of unwanted combustion by-products (CBPs), particularly if the incinerators are not well designed or properly operated. The Clean Air Act Amendment is emphasizing the control of toxic air pollutants from all combustion and process sources; some of these pollutants are CBPs. CBPs include: (1) unburned principal organic hazardous constituents (POHCs); (2) products of incomplete combustion (PICs); (3) metal emissions; (4) residuals/ashes; and (5) acid gases. This Paper is a part of a series of writings on the subject of the CBP issue from EPA's Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory in Cincinnati, Ohio and is one of the first metal emission papers in the series. It specifically addresses the aspect of potential toxic metal emissions from combustion/incineration processes.