ICSE Class 9 Answered

Incineration is a method in which waste is burnt at very high temperatures. Hazardous bio-medical wastes such as discarded medicines, toxic drugs, human anatomical wastes, blood, pus, microbiological and biotechnological wastes, etc. are usually disposed off by incineration.

Purpose of incineration:

(1) Reduces the volume of waste

(2) Reduces the weight of waste

(3) Converts toxic wastes into less toxic or even non-toxic substances

Impact of incineration:

(1) Releases fumes and harmful substances

Precautions to be taken for incineration:

(1) Incineration should be carried out at very high temperatures.

(2) Incinerators should be equipped with pollution control devices

(3) They should be set up far away from residential areas

(4) Ash contained in leftover residue should be disposed off in landfills

Advantages of incineration:

(1) Ash leftover occupies much less landfill space

(2) Residual bottom ash can be used for the recovery of some metals

(3) Electricity can be generated from the heat released during burning