IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i7p5305-d1110297.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analysing the Impact on Health and Environment from Biogas Production Process and Biomass Combustion: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Tamburini

    (Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Roberta Pernetti

    (Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Manuela Anelli

    (Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Enrico Oddone

    (Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
    Hospital Occupational Medicine Unit (UOOML), ICS Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Anna Morandi

    (Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Adam Osuchowski

    (Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Simona Villani

    (Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Cristina Montomoli

    (Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Maria Cristina Monti

    (Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

Abstract

The increasing demand for renewable energy production entails the development of novel green technologies, among them the use of biomass for energy generation. Industrial processes raise new issues regarding emerging risks for the health of people working in biogas plants and of nearby communities. The potential epidemiological and environmental impacts on human health related to biogas plants were assessed by means of a review of the available literature. Nineteen papers published between 2000 and 2022 were identified through electronic database search using search strings. The selected works are epidemiological studies and environmental monitoring studies, which aimed at investigating what are the health risk factors for biogas plant workers and for people living in the surrounding communities. The results of the epidemiological studies revealed a potential exposure to endotoxins and fungi that are associated with respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, the results from the environmental monitoring studies showed significant concentrations of particulate matter, microbial agents, endotoxins, and VOCs in occupational settings. In conclusion, the results of this literature review suggest that further analyses through an integrated approach combining environmental and health data are necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks associated with the uptake of biogas technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Tamburini & Roberta Pernetti & Manuela Anelli & Enrico Oddone & Anna Morandi & Adam Osuchowski & Simona Villani & Cristina Montomoli & Maria Cristina Monti, 2023. "Analysing the Impact on Health and Environment from Biogas Production Process and Biomass Combustion: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-29, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:7:p:5305-:d:1110297
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/7/5305/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/7/5305/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrea G. Capodaglio & Arianna Callegari & Maria Virginia Lopez, 2016. "European Framework for the Diffusion of Biogas Uses: Emerging Technologies, Acceptance, Incentive Strategies, and Institutional-Regulatory Support," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Alice Freiberg & Julia Scharfe & Vanise C. Murta & Andreas Seidler, 2018. "The Use of Biomass for Electricity Generation: A Scoping Review of Health Effects on Humans in Residential and Occupational Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-27, February.
    3. Meyer-Aurich, Andreas & Schattauer, Alexander & Hellebrand, Hans Jürgen & Klauss, Hilde & Plöchl, Matthias & Berg, Werner, 2012. "Impact of uncertainties on greenhouse gas mitigation potential of biogas production from agricultural resources," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 277-284.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Fizza Tahir & Rizwan Rasheed & Mumtaz Fatima & Fizza Batool & Abdul-Sattar Nizami, 2025. "Sustainability Analysis of Commercial-Scale Biogas Plants in Pakistan vs. Germany: A Novel Analytic Hierarchy Process—SMARTER Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-21, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sica, Daniela & Esposito, Benedetta & Supino, Stefania & Malandrino, Ornella & Sessa, Maria Rosaria, 2023. "Biogas-based systems: An opportunity towards a post-fossil and circular economy perspective in Italy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    2. Andrea G. Capodaglio & Gustaf Olsson, 2019. "Energy Issues in Sustainable Urban Wastewater Management: Use, Demand Reduction and Recovery in the Urban Water Cycle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Bekkering, J. & Hengeveld, E.J. & van Gemert, W.J.T. & Broekhuis, A.A., 2015. "Will implementation of green gas into the gas supply be feasible in the future?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 409-417.
    4. Bacenetti, Jacopo & Sala, Cesare & Fusi, Alessandra & Fiala, Marco, 2016. "Agricultural anaerobic digestion plants: What LCA studies pointed out and what can be done to make them more environmentally sustainable," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 669-686.
    5. Dandikas, Vasilis & Heuwinkel, Hauke & Lichti, Fabian & Eckl, Thomas & Drewes, Jörg E. & Koch, Konrad, 2018. "Correlation between hydrolysis rate constant and chemical composition of energy crops," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 34-42.
    6. Adam Wąs & Piotr Sulewski & Nataliia Gerasymchuk & Ludmila Stepasyuk & Vitaliy Krupin & Zoia Titenko & Kinga Pogodzińska, 2022. "The Potential of Ukrainian Agriculture’s Biomass to Generate Renewable Energy in the Context of Climate and Political Challenges—The Case of the Kyiv Region," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    7. Mariusz Kruczek & Malgorzata Markowska & Aikaterini Servou & Christos Roumpos & Eleni Mertiri & Priscilla Ernst & Jaroslaw Darmosz & Thomas Kempka, 2025. "Navigating Socio-Technical Challenges in Energy Efficiency: Case Studies on Hybrid Pumped-Hydropower Storage in Poland and Greece," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-32, January.
    8. Jacobsen, Brian H. & Laugesen, Frederik M. & Dubgaard, Alex, 2014. "The economics of biogas in Denmark: a farm and socioeconomic perspective," International Journal of Agricultural Management, Institute of Agricultural Management, vol. 3(3), pages 1-10.
    9. Vera Eory & Cairistiona F. E. Topp & Adam Butler & Dominic Moran, 2018. "Addressing Uncertainty in Efficient Mitigation of Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 69(3), pages 627-645, September.
    10. Jakub Mazurkiewicz, 2023. "Loss of Energy and Economic Potential of a Biogas Plant Fed with Cow Manure due to Storage Time," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-22, September.
    11. Auburger, Sebastian & Jacobs, Anna & Märländer, Bernward & Bahrs, Enno, 2016. "Economic optimization of feedstock mix for energy production with biogas technology in Germany with a special focus on sugar beets – Effects on greenhouse gas emissions and energy balances," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 1-11.
    12. L. Hlisnikovský & G. Mühlbachová & E. Kunzová & M. Hejcman & M. Pechová, 2016. "Changes of risky element concentrations under organic and mineral fertilization," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 62(8), pages 355-360.
    13. Islam, KM Nazmul & Sarker, Tapan & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad & Atri, Anashuwa Chowdhury & Alam, Mohammad Shafiul, 2021. "Renewable energy generation from livestock waste for a sustainable circular economy in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    14. Marco Segreto & Lucas Principe & Alexandra Desormeaux & Marco Torre & Laura Tomassetti & Patrizio Tratzi & Valerio Paolini & Francesco Petracchini, 2020. "Trends in Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy Across Europe—A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-19, December.
    15. Siegrist, Armin & Bowman, Gillianne & Burg, Vanessa, 2022. "Energy generation potentials from agricultural residues: The influence of techno-spatial restrictions on biomethane, electricity, and heat production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 327(C).
    16. Scholz, L. & Meyer-Aurich, A. & Kirschke, D., 2014. "Bestimmungsfaktoren der Silomaisproduktion - Eine räumlich-ökonometrische Analyse," Proceedings “Schriften der Gesellschaft für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften des Landbaues e.V.”, German Association of Agricultural Economists (GEWISOLA), vol. 49, March.
    17. Maghanaki, M. Mohammadi & Ghobadian, B. & Najafi, G. & Galogah, R. Janzadeh, 2013. "Potential of biogas production in Iran," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 702-714.
    18. Andrea G. Capodaglio & Arianna Callegari, 2018. "Can Payment for Ecosystem Services Schemes Be an Alternative Solution to Achieve Sustainable Environmental Development? A Critical Comparison of Implementation between Europe and China," Resources, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-19, June.
    19. O'Connor, S. & Ehimen, E. & Pillai, S.C. & Black, A. & Tormey, D. & Bartlett, J., 2021. "Biogas production from small-scale anaerobic digestion plants on European farms," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    20. Alonso Albalate-Ramírez & Alejandro Padilla-Rivera & Juan Felipe Rueda-Avellaneda & Brenda Nelly López-Hernández & Luis Ramiro Miramontes-Martínez & Alejandro Estrada-Baltazar & Pasiano Rivas-García, 2024. "Mapping the Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Processes for Food Loss and Waste in Mexico—Part 2: Environmental and Economic Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-18, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:7:p:5305-:d:1110297. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.