Abstract
This research study was carried out to demonstrate that fires in solid waste landfills are incidents that represent a serious environmental and occupational risk due to the wide variety and quantity of hazardous substances released into the atmosphere during these accidents. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pollution generated by landfill fires, as well as to evaluate the biosafety measures implemented in extinction works. The bibliographic review methodology was used for the collection of information, 10 articles published by different journals in both China, the United States, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan and Chile were reviewed and the presence of pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans and heavy metals in gas emissions and particulate material was observed. This study provides a deeper understanding of the health effects it has on emergency personnel who deal with this type of incidents, in turn it tells us that it is not only a problem in Panama, but that other countries close to ours also have this problem. This research is of great importance as it has helped local governments to take action to reduce the exposure levels of emergency personnel and to ensure their health.
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