ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACTS OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE COMBUSTION FOR BIOENERGY: A TOXICITY AND EMISSION REVIEW

Abstract

This study examines the environmental and health impacts caused by the release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the combustion of biomass and agricultural waste. Today, bioenergy plays a crucial role in global energy systems, accounting for 70 % of renewable energy consumption, 9.5 % of total primary energy supply, and 13 % of global gross final energy consumption. However, environmental pollution remains one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, with serious implications for human health, biodiversity, and climate change. PAHs, released during the incomplete combustion of organic fuels, are particularly concerning due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. This review aims to evaluate the emissions of PAHs during biomass combustion, with a focus on fuel types and combustion conditions. It synthesizes data from over 30 contemporary scientific sources, comprehensively analysing PAH formation and distribution in flue gases, and identifies the key factors influencing these emissions. The research reveals that PAH emissions vary significantly depending on the type of biomass, combustion conditions, and the control measures employed. Open burning of agricultural residues generates much higher PAH concentrations compared to controlled combustion in stoves or furnaces. The analysis assumes consistent data reporting across studies and acknowledges that real-world conditions may differ from laboratory settings, potentially affecting emission levels. The findings underscore the importance of implementing effective emission control strategies to reduce environmental and health risks, particularly in regions like Ukraine that rely heavily on biomass as an energy source. By addressing a critical gap in the literature, this review enhances understanding of the long-term impacts of bioenergy on environmental health and sustainability and advocates for updating Ukrainian regulatory legislation with modern methodological procedures.