Cellular Mutagenicity and Heavy Metal Concentrations of Leachates Extracted from the Fly and Bottom Ash Derived from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration.
Two incinerators in Taiwan have recently attempted to reuse the fly and bottom ash that they produce, but the mutagenicity of these types of ash has not yet been assessed. Therefore, we evaluated the mutagenicity of the ash with the Ames mutagenicity assay using the TA98, TA100, and TA1535 bacterial strains. We obtained three leachates from three leachants of varying pH values using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test recommended by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency (Taiwan EPA). We then performed the Ames assay on the harvested leachates. To evaluate the possible relationship between the presence of heavy metals and mutagenicity, the concentrations of five heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in the leachates were also determined. The concentrations of Cd and Cr in the most acidic leachate from the precipitator fly ash and the Cd concentration in the most acidic leachate from the boiler fly ash exceeded the recommended limits. Notably, none of the nine leachates extracted from the boiler, precipitator, or bottom ashes displayed mutagenic activity. This data partially affirms the safety of the fly and bottom ash produced by certain incinerators. Therefore, the biotoxicity of leachates from recycled ash should be routinely monitored before reusing the ash.
Department of Nursing, St. Mary's Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Yilan 26644, Taiwan. pwchen@smc.edu.tw.
Po-Wen
PW
Chen
Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan. zsliu@mail.mcut.edu.tw.
Zhen-Shu
ZS
Liu
Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan. dream_5788@yahoo.com.tw.
Min-Jie
MJ
Wun
Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan. aa701623@yahoo.com.tw.
Tai-Chen
TC
Kuo
D060729:Coal Ash / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D017745:Incineration; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D062611:Solid Waste; D013624:Taiwan
D060729:Coal Ash; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009153:Mutagens; D062611:Solid Waste
Ames test; bottom ash; fly ash; mutagenicity; toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP)