Characterization of dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the atmosphere of different workplaces of a sinter plant.
This study investigated concentrations, contents and congener profiles of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the workplaces of a sintering plant. Air samples were collected from the charging zone, the sintering zones of the sintering grate and the rough roll shredder, and the control room. The charging zone was found to have a higher total suspended particulate (TSP) but lower PCDD/F concentrations (=4969 microg nm(-3) and 7.61 pg nm(-3), respectively) than the sintering zone (=1422-1448 microg nm(-3) and 19.16-23.17 pg nm(-3), respectively). The TSP and PCDD/F concentrations were lowest in the control room (=98 microg nm(-3) and 1.75 pg nm(-3), respectively). However, the above concentrations were within the range of a typical urban-industrial area. Quite similar PCDD/F contents were found in particles in the sintering zones and control room (=11.72-14.30 and 15.85 ng g(-1), respectively) suggesting that the sintering zone and the control room are very similar. In both charging and sintering zones, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF contributed 40-60% to the total I-TEQ in both the gas phase and particle phase. However, in control room, both congeners 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 2,3,7,8-TCDD were the main contributors; the later contributed 30% of the total I-TEQ in gas phase. In control room, the contribution of 2,3,7,8-TCDD to the total PCDD/F concentration in the gas phase greatly exceeded that in particle phase (=5.5% and 0.8%, respectively). Therefore, solutions must be sought to avoid the transfer of not only the particle-phase but also the gas-phase PCDD/Fs from the sintering zone to the control room in the future.
Shih
Minliang
M
Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science. 60, Sec. 1, Erh-Jen Road, Tainan 717, Taiwan.
Lee
Wen-Jhy
WJ
Shih
Tung-Sheng
TS
Huang
Sheng-Lung
SL
Chang-Chien
Guo-Ping
GP
Wang
Lin-Chi
LC
Tsai
Perng-Jy
PJ
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis*; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019652:Extraction and Processing Industry; D017132:Workplace
D000393:Air Pollutants; D001572:Benzofurans; D004147:Dioxins; C023614:dibenzofuran; C020887:dibenzo(1,4)dioxin