Incineration is the burning of substances by controlled flame in an enclosed area. This process:
Any organic compounds must be subjected to higher temperatures before they burn. As a consequence, hazardous waste incinerators must maintain extremely high temperatures to ensure that virtually all organic compounds in the wastes are destroyed.
Although incineration does not destroy inorganic compounds, it can be used for wastes that contain them to prepare the inorganic materials for easier management and handling.
The public generally opposes incineration, but based on current data, the EPA believes that incineration is the best technology available for the disposal of many organic wastes. Although there are still some areas of technical and scientific uncertainty concerning incinerator emissions, incineration is preferable to alternative technologies such as land disposal because it reduces both waste toxicity and volume.
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