Incinerator Guide

Process

• Incinerators operate at high temperatures in order to burn-up harmful chemicals. Some incinerators can be transported to a particular waste site to eliminate harmful waste. Waste management systems also transports hazardous waste to buildings that were designed for incinerating. Once the waste reaches the incinerator, employees control the amount of heat and air that is needed to destroy the hazardous substances.

Safety

• The EPA tests incinerators in order to ensure they are not releasing harmful chemicals or gases into the environment. These tests are conducted before and during the incineration process. Some hazardous gases do escape while the incinerator is in operation but they are not released in a controlled amount. Incinerators should have the proper design and a knowledgeable staff in order to safely eliminate dangerous chemicals.

Clean Up

• Large incinerators have been known to eliminate several hundred tons of waste each day. Incinerators are used to eliminate certain chemicals such as medical waste and sewage sludge, usually accomplished in a relatively short amount of time.