Atmospheric dry deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the vicinity of municipal solid waste incinerators

J Hazard Mater. 2009 Feb 15;162(1):521-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.05.075. Epub 2008 May 21.

Abstract

This study focuses on the atmospheric dry deposition flux of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the vicinity of the two municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) located in southern Taiwan. PCDD/Fs in ambient air were taken and analyzed for seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs during November 2004 and July 2005. Results show that the mean concentrations of PCDD/Fs in the ambient air near MSWI-GS and MSWI-RW were 0.090 and 0.097pg I-TEQ/Nm(3), respectively. Dry deposition fluxes of total PCDD/Fs were 18.0 and 23.5pg I-TEQ/(m(2)d) in the ambient air near MSWI-GS and MSWI-RW, respectively, which were considerably higher than that measured in Guangzhou, China. Annual dry deposition fluxes of total PCDD/Fs in the ambient air near MSWI-GS and MSWI-RW were 189 and 217ng/(m(2)year), respectively, which were also much higher than dry deposition of total PCDD/Fs to the Atlantic Ocean. The results of the present study strongly suggest that exposure to PCDD/Fs in this area should be reduced. In addition, parametric sensitivity shows that dry deposition flux of PCDD/Fs is most sensitive to dry deposition velocity of the particle-phase, followed by air temperature and concentration of total suspended particulate but least sensitive to dry deposition velocity of the gas-phase.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Benzofurans / analysis*
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Incineration
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analysis
  • Polyurethanes / analysis
  • Refuse Disposal*
  • Solubility
  • Weather

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Benzofurans
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • Polyurethanes