Environment contamination with heavy metals contained in waste

Abstract

The paper analyzes the sources of the most widespread heavy metals contained in waste. Different directions of human activity are considered with emphasis on the waste containing heavy metals. It is established that the largest suppliers of heavy metals include waste of metallurgy, chemical industry, production of electrical appliances, batteries and accumulators, sewage sludge, ash and slag of coal-fired power stations and waste incineration plants, and the recent one is household waste. In agricultural regions these sources include waste of pesticides and fertilizers production and application. The sources are described for each heavy metal, and for household waste they are analyzed concerning to certain types of waste.