Characterization of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran emissions from joss paper burned in a furnace with air pollution control devices.
Burning joss paper, a common practice in temples in some Asian countries, can release toxic pollutants. This study investigated polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions and profiles from burning joss paper in a temple furnace connected to two wet scrubbers. The mean total PCDD/F content and corresponding toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) in joss paper were 193 ng kg(-1) and 0.645 ng I-TEQ kg(-1), respectively, whereas those in bottom ash from burned joss paper were 18.5 ng kg(-1) and 1.92 ng I-TEQ kg(-1), respectively. The wet scrubbers decreased individual PCDD/F emissions by 26.7-71.0% and those of total PCDD/Fs and I-TEQ by 47.2% and 66.0%, respectively. The total PCDD/F TEQ emission factors before and after the wet scrubbers were 8.14 and 3.42 microg I-TEQ ton-feedstock(-1), respectively. The estimated total PCDD/F and corresponding TEQ emissions were 5.29 g year(-1) and 0.462 g I-TEQ year(-1), respectively, in Taiwan. Burning joss paper in temple furnaces is a significant source of PCDD/F emissions.
Hu
Ming-Tsan
MT
Department of Environmental Engineering Science, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.
Chen
Shui-Jen
SJ
Huang
Kuo-Lin
KL
Lin
Yuan-Chung
YC
Chang-Chien
Guo-Ping
GP
Tsai
Jen-Hsiung
JH
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis*; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D017745:Incineration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007220:Industrial Waste; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis
D000393:Air Pollutants; D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D007220:Industrial Waste; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins