Public Health Risks Associated with Emissions from Open Burning of Municipal Solid Waste:A Narrative Review

Abstract

Globally, people are discarding large quantities of waste, and its management is one of the major challenges faced by cities across the globe. Open burning is a waste management practice performed by many people worldwide, which has resulted in great public health and environmental concerns.
In this narrative review, focus was on the potential environmental and human health risks of open burning of various components of municipal solid waste (MSW). Secondary data on open waste burning of organic waste, plastic and rubber waste, electronic waste and fossil fuel from 2000 to 2024, searched from reputable databases, were used.
The findings showed that the open burning of organic waste results in the emission of greenhouse gases and highly hazardous organic air pollutants, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Open burning of plastics releases toxic compounds, including dioxins, furans, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls, into the atmosphere. Electronic waste burning contributes to severe air pollution due to heavy metals and is associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity, specifically hypertension. Open burning of fossil fuels results in the release of various toxic substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), black carbon, mercury, SO₂, NOₓ, and volatile organic compounds. Exposure to these air pollutants is associated with low or reduced birth weight, small size for gestational age, and preterm birth and reduced lung function.
Therefore, the open burning of MSW poses severe risks to human health and the environment and hence the need for proper waste management practices.