Footprints in compositions, PCDD/Fs and heavy metals in medical waste fly ash: Large-scale evidence from 17 medical waste thermochemical disposal facilities across China

Yao Wang; Yu Zhang; Juan Xu; Jiangping Zhong; Feng Wei; Jia Zhang; Yang Zheng; Guangren Qian

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130471

Footprints in compositions, PCDD/Fs and heavy metals in medical waste fly ash: Large-scale evidence from 17 medical waste thermochemical disposal facilities across China

J Hazard Mater. 2023 Mar 5:445:130471. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130471. Epub 2022 Nov 24.

Authors

Yao Wang¹, Yu Zhang², Juan Xu³, Jiangping Zhong⁴, Feng Wei⁵, Jia Zhang⁶, Yang Zheng⁷, Guangren Qian⁸

Affiliations

¹ SHU Center of Green Urban Mining & Industry Ecology, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 381 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Institute of Geological Survey, 930 Lingshi Rd, Shanghai 200072, China. Electronic address: wangyaobmp@shu.edu.cn.
² SHU Center of Green Urban Mining & Industry Ecology, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 381 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, China. Electronic address: zhyu349872@163.com.
³ Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, 1 Yuhui South Road, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: xujuan@meescc.cn.
⁴ Shanghai Solid Waste Disposal Center, 2491 Jiazhu Road, Shanghai 201815, China. Electronic address: zhongjp@shenvir.com.
⁵ Shanghai Solid Waste Disposal Center, 2491 Jiazhu Road, Shanghai 201815, China. Electronic address: weifeng@shgfcz.com.
⁶ SHU Center of Green Urban Mining & Industry Ecology, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 381 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, China. Electronic address: irujam@t.shu.edu.cn.
⁷ Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, 1 Yuhui South Road, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: zhengyang@meescc.cn.
⁸ SHU Center of Green Urban Mining & Industry Ecology, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 381 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, China. Electronic address: grqian@shu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36455320
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130471

Abstract

Chemical compositions, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) profiles and heavy metals (HMs) leachability of medical waste fly ash (MWFA) from 17 thermochemical treatment facilities in eight Chinese provinces were first investigated. Large-scale and extended monitoring revealed high chloride and Zn contents and similar PCDD/Fs congener profiles in MWFA. Particularly, the PCDD/Fs and HMs concentrations implied greater toxicity than that observed for municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash (MSWIFA). The maximum international toxic equivalent value of PCDD/Fs in MWFA was 40 times that of MSWIFA, and the leaching concentrations of Zn and Hg were 15 and 4 times those of MSWIFA, respectively. Notably, MWFA characteristics suggest the possibility of recycling and sustainable disposal solutions owing to the high Cl and Zn content with good recovery instead of landfill disposal. Similarities in chemical composition, PCDD/Fs homolog distribution, and water-solubility of chloride salts allows co-processing of MWFA and MSWIFA via water-washing detoxification and thermal treatment, such as that used in cement kilns. This study supplements existing literature on the characteristics and risk management of MWFA.

Keywords: Dioxins; Medical waste fly ash; Resource availability; Zn-rich.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Benzofurans* / analysis
China
Chlorides
Coal Ash / chemistry
Dibenzofurans
Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated / analysis
Incineration
Medical Waste*
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins* / analysis
Solid Waste
Waste Disposal Facilities
Water

Substances

Coal Ash
Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
Dibenzofurans
Medical Waste
Chlorides
Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
Benzofurans
Metals, Heavy
Solid Waste
Water