Mohammed Belhaj

An Assessment of Costs and Benefits Associated with Mercury Emission Reductions from Major Anthropogenic Sources

Abstract Several measures are available for reducing mercury emissions; however, these measures differ with regard to emission control efficiency, cost, and environmental benefits obtained through their implementation. Measures that include the application of technology, such as technology to remove mercury from flue gases in electric power plants, waste incinerators, and smelters, are rather expensive compared with nontechnological measures. In general, dedicated mercury removal is considerably more expensive than a co-benefit strategy, using air pollution control equipment originally designed to limit emissions of criterion pollutants, such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, or oxides of nitrogen. Substantial benefits can be achieved globally by introducing mercury emission reduction measures because they reduce human and wildlife exposure to methyl mercury. Although the reduction potential is greatest with the technological measures, technological and nontechnological solutions for mercury emissions and exposure reductions can be carried out in parallel.

Economic Assessment of the Negative Impacts of Ozone on Crop Yields and Forest Production. A Case Study of the Estate Östads Säteri in Southwestern Sweden

Abstract Ground level ozone concentrations, in combination with the prevailing climate, at the estate Östads Säteri in southwestern Sweden were estimated to reduce the yield of wheat and potato ranging between 5% and 10%. Occasionally, in years with the highest ozone concentrations and/or climatic conditions favoring high rates of ozone uptake to the leaves, yield loss levels above 10% may occur. Based on simple extrapolation, these ozone-induced reductions of crop yields at Östads Säteri represent a potential total annual yield loss in Sweden in the range of 24.5 million Euro for wheat and 7.3 million Euro for potato, respectively. A simulation of forest growth at Östad Säteri predicted that prevailing mean ozone exposure during 1993–2003 had the potential to reduce forest growth by 2.2% and the economic return of forest production by 2.6%. Using this value for extrapolation to the national level, the potential annual economic loss for Sweden due to negative impacts of ozone on forest production would be in the range of 56 million Euro (2004 prices).

Socio-economic costs of continuing the status-quo of mercury pollution

Mercury is considered a global pollutant and it has been concluded that a significant portion of humans and wildlife throughout the world are exposed to methyl mercury at levels of concern. The Gov ...

Additives and Other Hazardous Compounds in Electronic Products and Their Waste

The demand for electronic equipment in society is increasing not only as a result of higher living standards around the world but also due to fashion. Many electronic articles are today disposed of before the end of their technical lifetime since they have become outdated. Each year, electronic products are sold for a value of more than

Report on the 1st Workshop of the RISKCYCLE Coordination Action. Hanoi, Vietnam, 4-5 May 2010

1 trillion. In electronic equipment, there are various compounds that are hazardous to both the environment and human health, such as various metals and organic compounds. These compounds may be emitted from the products during its life cycle. The end-of-life phase has been identified as problematic with respect to emissions of these potentially hazardous additives. The risk caused by the end-of-life treatment of electronic and electric waste can be minimized if treated under controlled condition. If the treatment is under uncontrolled conditions, as in the informal e-waste system in Asia and Africa, there is a large risk that negative effects will occur with regard to human health and the environment.

Economic benefits from decreased mercury emissions: Projections for 2020

This workshop was supported by the EU-funded RISKCYCLE Coordination Action (grant agreement 226552).