This document discusses the health impacts of burning tires in cement kilns. It notes that cement kilns are not designed to burn tires and raises concerns about increased particulate matter emissions, including fine particulate which can enter lungs and bloodstream carrying toxic substances. It highlights the Dalhousie study which found uncertainty in reported dioxin emissions and that dioxins are very toxic, persistent chemicals. The document also notes tires contain metals like zinc, mercury, lead and cadmium which vaporize when burned and are released into the air.

1. Health Impacts of
Tire Burning
By
Emily Kierstead, United Church Clergy, Former Elementary
School Teacher
Lydia Sorflaten, BSc, Foods and Nutrition and Health teacher.
Fred Blois, President Woodmaster Tools.

2. CEMENT KILNS ARE NOT BUILT TO BURN TIRES
“CEMENT KILNS ARE NOT DESIGNED,
CONSTRUCTED, OPERATED, OR INTENDED TO
BE USED AS SCRAP TIRE INCINERATORS.”
DR. NEIL CARMON, PHD CHEMISTRY

4. Some Concerns re Tire
Incineration from the Dal Study
-

5. 'Particulates: Possibility of some increase in
particulates. Impact depends on the size
distribution of the particulates.‘
Table 19: Likely health impacts from emissions if tire burning permitted (Cook and Kemm,
2004).
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF TIRES AS AN
ALTERNATIVE FUEL
Michael J. Pegg, PhD, et al.

6. Fine Particulate-
harmful for two reasons:
1. Fine Particulate enters the lungs and
interferes with breathing.
2. Fine Particulates carry toxic
substances on the surface like a
sponge.
Toxic Emissions and Health Hazards from Tire Incineration in Lafarge
Cement Kilns, Neil J. Carman, Ph.D.

7. Fine particles, laden with toxins,
deliver metals and pollutants
directly into the blood stream.

9. 855.615 tonnes
NA - M08 PM - Total Particulate Matter
76.010 tonnes
NA - M09 PM10 - Particulate Matter <= 10
Data as of October 27, 2006
2005 Facility & Substance Information
LAFARGE CANADA INC.
NPRI ID: 4317
Brookfield Cement Plant

10. Toxic Air Emissions: Particulate Matter
PM10, PM2.5, Ultrafines
1. Combustion particles are microscopic in
size and penetrate into deep lung tissues,
like the alveolar sacs where toxins from the
particles can access the bloodstream.
2. Carry carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens
and toxins like benzene, PAHs, VOCs,
dioxins, dibenzofurans, metals, and others.

12. ‘Dioxin/Furan emission data
have the widest range in
reported values and hence the
greatest potential for
uncertainty.’
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF TIRES AS AN
ALTERNATIVE FUEL. Page 37.
Michael J. Pegg, PhD, et al. Department of Process Engineering and Applied
Science Faculty of Engineering, Dalhousie University. April 20, 2007.

13. Dal Review Red Flags Dioxins and Furans
‘Different dioxin and furan compounds vary by
several orders of magnitude in their ability to
cause adverse health effects in laboratory
animals. The most toxic of the chlorinated
dioxin and furan molecules in laboratory
animals is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
(TCDD known as Agent Orange).’
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF TIRES AS AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL.
APPENDIX A: Dioxin and Furan Emission Limits

14. • Dioxins are persistant and
are chemically stabile for
decades
Toxic Emissions and Health Hazards from Tire Incineration in Lafarge
Cement Kilns, Neil J. Carman, Ph.D.

15. Dioxin Facts
• Dioxins and furans are the most toxic
chemicals known to science
• Dioxins cause infertility, learning
disabilities, endometriosis, birth defects,
sexual reproductive disorders, damage
to the immune system, cancer and
more.

16. Tire Chemistry: Metals in Whole Tires
• Metals in steel-belted tires: do not burn in
the cement kiln but due to hot temperatures
metals tend to vaporize more and be
released as metallic gaseous and particulate
matter into the ambient air.
• Metals include Zinc, Mercury, Lead,
Cadmium, Arsenic, Chromium VI, others