2. Heavy metals

2.1 Origin and chemical form

Of all the metals present in household waste and capable of causing toxic effects in humans, particular attention must be paid to mercury, cadmium and lead. These three elements are among the most toxic in the concentration ranges encountered in household waste and in the discharges and products produced by their treatment processes. Other metallic elements and metalloids present in waste are dealt with in the same paragraph.

2.1.1 Mercure

Mercury is used in the...