Of those, only a single entry included information about a population-based study conducted in a community living in the vicinity of an incinerator. The findings from the Caldwell study were previously described in this testimony. In the absence of human health data on the effects of a hazardous substance on public health, we rely on toxicity data. All of these factors have to be considered in any estimate of the public health impact of incinerator emissions. Much is known about the toxic effects of contaminants that may be released from waste incinerators, lead, mercury, dioxin, and furans.
Scientific literature is available on each substance.
This knowledge is based on laboratory animal studies, occupational investigations, and some community health studies. For example, lead exerts toxic effects on the nervous system, kidney, immune function, and reproduction. It is associated with hypertension in middleaged persons. Mercury or mercury compounds are toxic to the nervous system, kidney, and immune function. Dioxins have been extensively studied in toxicological studies.