Management of carcinogenic air emissions: a case study of a power plant
An adjudicatory hearing to determine the potential adverse effects of the carcinogenic and mutagenic emissions from a diesel power plant at Harvard University was conducted by the Massachusetts environmental agency. Emissions from the plant were characterized through monitoring of fine particles, soluble organic extract and 11 indicator compounds, and comparing them with automotive diesel emissions. Quantitative risk assessment included assessment of the facility's contribution to ambient background and a comparison with emissions from mobile sources. The aggregate risk of cancer associated with 40 years of plant operation was estimated to range between 0 and 4 per 1.66 million people exposed. In 1986 the plant was permitted to operate on the grounds that the risks were not unreasonable. The significance of the decision extends beyond this one case; 1) in its decision the agency focused only on public health issues and disregarded all other social and economic costs or benefits; 2) the agency rejected a zero risk standard for carcinogens by explicitly accepting a small but non-negligible risk as reasonable; 3) the agency did not define an absolute standard of risk acceptability and, therefore, implicitly recognized the attendant uncertainty. The case also illustrates a strong subjective component present in all risk assessments.
- Research Organization:
- Clark Univ., Worcester, MA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5270019
- Journal Information:
- J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Vol. 38:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Cancer in the Garden of Eden
Health effects of diesel engine emissions. [Lead abstract]
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DIESEL FUELS
CARCINOGENESIS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
HEALTH HAZARDS
NEOPLASMS
RISK ASSESSMENT
MASSACHUSETTS
DISEASES
FEDERAL REGION I
HAZARDS
NORTH AMERICA
PATHOGENESIS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
016000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Health & Safety
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology