[Ecodevelopment strategy and the reduction of threat to the health].

Abstract

The term sustainable development is directly associated with environmental protection and conservation of natural resources, thus with changes of consumption and production patterns. The principles of sustainable development were determined in the Rio de Janerio Declaration and in AGENDA 21. The principles are meeting human aspiration for the further improvement of living conditions by development without environmental destruction and degradation of natural resources. Implementation of BAT (Best Available Technologies) allows saving of raw materials by using the waste as a source of the energy, including very toxic wastes as pesticides, PCBs, dioxin and furans. It reduces emissions to the environment, decreases risk to the human's health and protects the natural resources for future generations. Two technologies were presented; both available already on the market. Plasma technology uses the intense heat (3500-17000 degrees C) of an electric arc to treat the most troublesome waste streams, including highly toxic chemical and medical waste. The intense heat of the plasma arc destroys all the organic constituents of the waste stream and immobilizes all inorganic constituents into an extremely stable glassy slag. The STARTECH plasma system operates in a reducing environment for the processing of organic waste and is designed to produce syn-gas, which can contain up to 60% of hydrogen. The Hydromex Process is capable of converting municipal solid waste, commercial, and industrial waste into new man-made resources. The Hydromex Process is a completely enclosed; zero emission system that requires minimal energy input and guarantees no hazardous compounds are released into the environment. There are no side stream by-products, unless preplanned, so there is no disposal.

• Authors: Ewa Marchwińiska
• Journal: Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960) (Wiad Lek) Vol. 55 Suppl 1 Issue Pt 2 Pg. 784-90 ( 2002) ISSN: 0043-5147 [Print] Poland
• Vernacular Title: Strategia ekorozwoju a zmniejszenie zagrozenia zdrowia.
• PMID: 17474600 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Environmental Pollutants
• Waste Products

Topics

• Conservation of Natural Resources (economics, legislation & jurisprudence, methods)
• Environmental Health (organization & administration)
• Environmental Pollutants (classification)
• Environmental Pollution (prevention & control)
• Global Health
• Humans
• Incineration (instrumentation, methods)
• International Cooperation (legislation & jurisprudence)
• Technology (instrumentation)
• Waste Products (classification)