16. Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Solid Wastes and Leachate at a Municipal Solid Waste Dumpsite in Thailand

In this study, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contamination in solid wastes disposed at a municipal solid waste dumpsite in Thailand was investigated. Due to poor upstream segregation, several volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and trichloroethylene were detected in yard wastes, food wastes, plastic wastes, and foam wastes components. Their concentrations were found varied from 1 to 5 mg/kg of solid wastes, being highest in fresh wastes and reduced according to the age of wastes (between 2 and 7 years) and waste locations (upper and lower parts in the waste pile). Field measurement was used to assess the fate of emission of those compounds from solid waste dumping area (7.4 ha). It was found that benzene was the most emitted compound from the waste pile to the atmosphere whereas trichloroethylene was majorly drained out with leachate form and subsequently emitted to the atmosphere from leachate holding pond. The rising temperature in the waste pile from normal temperature of 40–80 °C during daytime increased the emission of VOCs from the wastes by four folds. Their emissions could be significantly reduced by the provision of cover material and heat management.