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Wu D, Qi J, Li Q, Chen J, Chen Y, Chen J. Extreme Exposure Levels of PCDD/Fs Inhaled from Biomass Burning Activity for Cooking in Typical Rural Households. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7299-7306. [PMID: 34014073 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), emitted during biomass combustion, are carcinogenic chemicals. The association between indoor biomass burning and PCDD/Fs inhalation exposure levels is still poorly understood. This study first reports direct measurement of personal exposure to PCDD/Fs in real-world households with wood combustion. In homes where biomass burning is used for cooking, toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) PCDD/Fs concentrations were found to be 545 ± 251 fg I-TEQ/m3 in kitchens, with levels of 4.5-, 6.9-, and 13.3-fold higher than those in living rooms (122 ± 92 fg I-TEQ/m3), bedrooms (79 ± 27 fg I-TEQ/m3), and ambient air (41 ± 15 fg I-TEQ/m3), respectively. PCDD/Fs exposure levels in populations using biomass fuels for cooking (353 ± 110 fg I-TEQ/m3) were 4.3-fold higher than those in the control groups (82 ± 32 fg I-TEQ/m3). Additionally, the average cancer risks for biomass cooking person were approximately 3.1-fold higher than those in factory workers. Overall, residents of household that use biomass fuels for cooking have the highest known risk of PCDD/Fs exposure. These results highlight that aiming to mitigate the PCDD/Fs exposure risk in the general population, the focus of dioxin emission source control measures should shift from industrial sectors to residential biomass combustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Juan Qi
- School of Chemical Engineering, Xuzhou College of Industrial Technology, Xuzhou 221140, China
| | - Qing Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- Shanghai Institute of Eco-Chongming (SIEC), No. 3663 Northern Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Jiping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Yingjun Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- Shanghai Institute of Eco-Chongming (SIEC), No. 3663 Northern Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Jianmin Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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Ngo TH, Tsou HH, Chen YF, Chen YW, Chi KH. Sources identification of PCDD/Fs in soil and atmospheric deposition in Taiwan. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 208:374-381. [PMID: 29885503 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.05.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
PCDD/Fs are among pollutants, which gain major concern from Taiwan government and citizens during industrialization. PCDD/Fs can be emitted into the atmosphere, soil, and water environment in either vapor or solid forms. Atmospheric deposition is the main pathways for atmospheric PCDD/Fs to precipitate on surface soil. In this study, a simultaneous analysis of both soil and deposition PCDD/Fs was done to investigate the relationship between in-soil and deposited PCDD/Fs in Taiwan. Soil samples (n = 84) and atmospheric deposition samples (n = 57) were collected within overlapped periods of time. Geometric mean of 10.4 pg WHO-TEQ/g was found in the soil samples when the geometric mean of atmospheric deposited PCDD/F concentrations was found to be 7.39 pg WHO-TEQ/m2/day. Concentration of PCDD/Fs in samples collected in industrial location were higher than those collected in other locations in all sampling areas. OCDD, OCDF, HpCDD, HpCDF, were the predominant congeners in PCDD/F profile in both soil and atmospheric deposited samples, when 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF were major contributors for PCDD/F fingerprint with WHO-TEQ transformation. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis showed that 83% of soil PCDD/Fs correlate with atmospheric deposition process originated from industrial activities (44%) and long range transport activities (39%). Furthermore, the PMF analysis found long range transport, municipal solid water incinerators (MSWIs), industrial waste incinerators (IWIs), electric arc furnace, recycling process of aluminum, sintering plants to be the main sources contributing to atmospheric deposited PCDD/Fs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Hung Ngo
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan; International Health Program, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Han Hsing Tsou
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Ya Fang Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Yuan Wu Chen
- Division of Toxic Substances, Waste, and Soil Analysis, Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Taoyuan City, 32024, Taiwan
| | - Kai Hsien Chi
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
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Ji Z, Fan X, Gan M, Chen X, Lv W, Li Q, Zhou Y, Tian Y, Jiang T. Influence of sulfur dioxide-related interactions on PM 2.5 formation in iron ore sintering. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2017; 67:488-497. [PMID: 27870602 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2016.1259692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The formation of PM2.5 (aerosol particulate matter less than 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter) in association with SO2 emission during sintering process has been studied by dividing the whole sintering process into six typical sampling stages. A low-pressure cascade impactor was used to collect PM2.5 by automatically segregating particulates into six sizes. It was found that strong correlation existed between the emission properties of PM2.5 and SO2. Wet mixture layer (overwetted layer and raw mixture layer) had the function to simultaneously capture SO2 and PM2.5 during the early sintering stages, and released them back into flue gas mainly in the flue gas temperature-rising period. CaSO4 crystals constituted the main SO2-related PM2.5 during the disappearing process of overwetted layer, which was able to form perfect individual crystals or to form particles with complex chemical compositions. Besides the existence of individual CaSO4 crystals, mixed crystals of K2SO4-CaSO4 in PM2.5 were also found during the first half of the temperature-rising period of flue gas. The interaction between fine-grained Ca-based fluxes, potassium vapors, and SO2 was the potential source of SO2-related PM2.5. IMPLICATIONS The emission property of PM2.5 and SO2 throughout the sintering process exhibited well similarity. This phenomenon tightened the relationship between the formation of PM2.5 and the emission of SO2. Through revealing the properties of SO2-related PM2.5 during sintering process, the potential interaction between fine-grained Ca-based fluxes, potassium vapors, and SO2 was found to be the source of SO2-related PM2.5. This information can serve as the guidance to develop efficient techniques to control the formation and emission of PM2.5 in practical sintering plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyun Ji
- a Department of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohui Fan
- a Department of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , People's Republic of China
| | - Min Gan
- a Department of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , People's Republic of China
| | - Xuling Chen
- a Department of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Lv
- a Department of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Li
- a Department of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhou
- a Department of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Tian
- a Department of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Jiang
- a Department of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , People's Republic of China
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Wang K, Tian H, Hua S, Zhu C, Gao J, Xue Y, Hao J, Wang Y, Zhou J. A comprehensive emission inventory of multiple air pollutants from iron and steel industry in China: Temporal trends and spatial variation characteristics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 559:7-14. [PMID: 27054489 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
China has become the largest producer of iron and steel throughout the world since 1996. However, as an energy-and-pollution intensive manufacturing sector, a detailed comprehensive emission inventory of air pollutants for iron and steel industry of China is still not available. To obtain and better understand the temporal trends and spatial variation characteristics of typical hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emissions from iron and steel production in China, a comprehensive emission inventory of multiple air pollutants, including size segregated particulate matter (TSP/PM10/PM2.5), gaseous pollutants (SO2, NOx, CO), heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Ni etc.), as well as the more dangerous PCDD/Fs, is established with the unit-based annual activity, specific dynamic emission factors for the historical period of 1978-2011, and the future potential trends till to 2050 are forecasted by using scenario analysis. Our results show that emissions of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter have experienced a gradual increase tendency since 2000, while emissions of priority-controlled heavy metals (Hg, Pb, As, Cd, Cr, and Ni) have exhibited a short-term fluctuation during the period of 1990 to 2005. With regard to the spatial distribution of HAPs emissions in base year 2011, Bohai economic circle is identified as the top emission intensity region where iron and steel smelting plants are densely built; within iron and steel industry, blast furnaces contribute the majority of PM emissions, sinter plants account for most of gaseous pollutants and the majority of PCDD/Fs, whereas steel making processes are responsible for the majority of heavy metal emissions. Moreover, comparisons of future emission trends under three scenarios indicate that advanced technologies and integrated whole process management strategies are in great need to further diminish various hazardous air pollutants from iron and steel industry in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Center of Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Hezhong Tian
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Center of Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Shenbing Hua
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Center of Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chuanyong Zhu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Center of Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jiajia Gao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Center of Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yifeng Xue
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; National Engineering Research Center of Urban Environmental Pollution Control, Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Jiming Hao
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
| | - Yong Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Center of Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Junrui Zhou
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Center of Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Chen T, Zhan MX, Lin XQ, Fu JY, Lu SY, Li XD. Distribution of PCDD/Fs in the fly ash and atmospheric air of two typical hazardous waste incinerators in eastern China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:1207-1214. [PMID: 25124474 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3401-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) in the fly ash and atmospheric air of one medical waste incinerator (MWI) and one industrial hazardous waste incinerator (IHWI) plants were characterized. The PCDD/F concentrations of the stack gas (fly ash) produced from MWI and IHWI were 17.7 and 0.7 ng international toxic equivalent (I-TEQ)/Nm(3) (4.1 and 2.5 ng I-TEQ/g), respectively. For workplace air, the total concentrations of PCDD/Fs were 11.32 and 0.28 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3) (819.5 and 15.3 pg/Nm(3)). We assumed that the large differences of PCDD/F concentrations in workplace air were due to the differences in chlorine content of the waste, combustion conditions, and other contamination sources. With respect to the homologue profiles, the concentrations of PCDFs decreased with the increase of the substituted chlorine number for each site. Among all of the PCDD/F congeners, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF was the most important contributor to the I-TEQ value accounting for ca. 43 % of two sites. The gas/particle partition of PCDD/Fs in the atmosphere of the workplace in the MWI was also investigated, indicating that PCDD/Fs were more associated in the particle phase, especially for the higher chlorinated ones. Moreover, the ratio of the I-TEQ values in particle and gas phase of workplace air was 11.0. At last, the relationship between the distribution of PCDD/Fs in the workplace air and that from stack gas and fly ash was also analyzed and discussed. The high correlation coefficient might be a sign for diffuse gas emissions at transient periods of fumes escaping from the incinerator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Institute for Thermal Power Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, People's Republic of China,
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Hu J, Zheng M, Liu W, Li C, Nie Z, Liu G, Xiao K, Dong S. Occupational exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, and polychlorinated naphthalenes in workplaces of secondary nonferrous metallurgical facilities in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:7773-7779. [PMID: 23755907 DOI: 10.1021/es4016475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were determined in workplace air from eight secondary nonferrous metal processing plants to investigate occupational exposure to these toxic compounds. The total estimated daily intakes of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs for workers by inhalation in the workplace were in the range of 0.15-9.91 and 0.13-8.59 pg of WHO-TEQ/kg of body weight (bw) for moderate and light activities, respectively. The daily inhalation doses for workers in the workplaces of three investigated plants exceeded the tolerable daily intake recommended by the World Health Organization. These results indicate that the risk of occupational exposure to dioxins by inhalation in the workplace of plants investigated was considerably high. For PCNs, the daily inhalation doses for workers in the workplace were in the range of 0.005-4.46 and 0.004-3.87 pg of TEQ/kg of bw for moderate and light activities, respectively, which were lower than those of dioxins. To identify the source of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PCNs in workplace air, their homologue profiles were compared with those in stack gas from the plants investigated. It was found that significant dioxin contamination in workplace air was mainly attributed to the emission of fugitive gas from smelting furnaces during reclamation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jicheng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
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Mosca S, Torelli GN, Tramontana G, Guerriero E, Rotatori M, Bianchini M. Concentration of organic micropollutants in the atmosphere of Trieste, Italy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2012; 19:1927-1935. [PMID: 22767290 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-011-0696-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PAHs, ubiquitous environmental pollutants which are part of the POPs, are mainly produced by anthropogenic activities as well as by natural processes. Occurrences of these pollutants in different sites in Trieste are presented. PCDD/Fs distribution and their possible emission sources are discussed. METHODS Air samples were collected in different sites near the industrial area, in the city center, and in a background area, using a high-volume sampler equipped with a quartz fiber filter and a PUF. Each sampling lasted a week. RESULTS The concentrations of the organochlorinated pollutants are consistent with literature data (ΣPCDD/Fs and Σdl-PCBs were 5-38 fg TEQ/Nm(3) and 4-31 fg TEQ/Nm(3), respectively), and an apparent seasonal trend was found with slightly higher concentrations in the winter and lower levels in both summer campaigns. Moreover, the isomer profile of each sampling campaign was compared to the fingerprint of a sintering plant, a cement plant, and an incinerator, the main industrial activities in Trieste. CONCLUSIONS The organic micropollutants were detected in levels consistent with literature data. The results show that the pollutants are uniformally distributed in the atmosphere of Trieste. PCDD/F fingerprints in each site remained almost identical during summer and winter, confirming the yearly prevalence of the emissions from the nearby sintering plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mosca
- Institute for Atmospheric Pollution Research, Italian National Research Council (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
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Jackson K, Aries E, Fisher R, Anderson DR, Parris A. Assessment of exposure to PCDD/F, PCB, and PAH at a basic oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) and an iron ore sintering plant in the UK. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 56:37-48. [PMID: 21989166 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mer071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
An assessment was carried out at a UK integrated steelworks to investigate the exposure of workers via inhalation to dioxins [polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD/F)], polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) including benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Investigations focused on a basic oxygen steelmaking (BOS) plant and an iron ore sintering plant. The highest concentrations of PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB were found at the BOS vessels and sinter strand area at the BOS and sinter plant, respectively. A risk assessment was carried out by comparing the daily intake of PCDD/F and PCB via inhalation with the recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) proposed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). For the most exposed category of worker in this study (i.e. sinter plant workers inside the strand area), the estimated daily intake via inhalation was estimated to be 0.25 pg WHO-toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQ) kg(-1) body weight (bw). Considering that the average UK adult exposure to PCDD/F from the diet is 1.8 pg WHO-TEQ kg(-1) bw day(-1), the results indicated that the estimated daily intake of PCDD/F and PCB via inhalation for sinter plant workers would not result in the recommended range of the TDI (1-4 pg WHO-TEQ kg(-1) bw day(-1)) being exceeded. Cancer risks for a 40-year occupational exposure period were determined by multiplying the estimated intake by the inhalation cancer potency factor for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. For the most exposed category of worker, cancer risks from exposure to PCDD/F and PCB ranged from 2.5 × 10(-6) to 5.2 × 10(-5). Under most regulatory programmes, excess cancer risks between 1.0 × 10(-6) and 1.0 × 10(-4) indicate an acceptable range of cancer risk, suggesting a limited risk from PCDD/F and PCB exposure for workers in the sinter plant. With regard to PAH, B[a]P concentrations were typically <10 ng m(-3) at all locations at both the sinter plant and the BOS plant. In several cases, particularly at the sinter plant, B[a]P concentrations were well below or only marginally above the target value of 1 ng m(-3) specified in ambient air by the European Commission in the fourth 'Daughter' Directive of the Air Quality Framework Directive suggesting a very low risk of exposure for workers. For PAH, excess cancer risks ranged from 2.4 × 10(-6) to 7.3 × 10(-6) for BOS plant workers and from for 5.3 × 10(-7) to 1.5 × 10(-5) for sinter plant workers, well within the acceptable range proposed by the US EPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Jackson
- Tata Steel, Group Environment, Swinden Technology Centre, Moorgate, Rotherham S60 3AR, UK.
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Ren Z, Zhang B, Lu P, Li C, Gao L, Zheng M. Characteristics of air pollution by polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the typical industrial areas of Tangshan City, China. J Environ Sci (China) 2011; 23:228-235. [PMID: 21516996 DOI: 10.1016/s1001-0742(10)60425-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The ambient air in vicinity of different industrial sources for PCDD/PCDFs was sampled by TSP/PM10 active samplers and passive PUF disk samplers in Tangshan City, a metropolis containing clusters of various industrial plants. The TEQ concentrations of PCDD/PCDFs ranged from 44.2 to 394.1 fg I-TEQ/m3 with an average of 169.9 fg I-TEQ/m3. 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF was the dominant contributor to sigma TEQ, contributing 41% (12% to 55%), while 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, OCDD and OCDF were the major congeners for the total concentrations. The ratios of sigma PCDF/ sigma PCDD reached 2.54 on average, suggesting that de novo synthesis in thermal processes played an important role to the airborne pollution of PCDD/PCDFs. The similarities congener profiles indicated that TSP and PM10 active sampling methods are comparable for the determination of the PCDD/PCDFs in ambient air, and the ratios of concentrations determined by the two methods suggested that the PCDD/PCDFs tended to stay in fine particles. It was found that 2,3,7,8-TCDF and OCDD were the dominating congeners in the passive PUF disks samples. Through principal components analysis, the coke industry was suggested to be a relatively high potential emission source for PCDD/PCDFs in the ambient air of Tangshan, which was possibly formed by de novo synthesis mechanism. In this study, the atmospheric impacts to the environment from different industrial sources could be ranked as follows (from high to low): coking, iron sintering, steel making, power generation and chlorinate alkali chemical production industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Ren
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
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Wang MS, Chen SJ, Huang KL, Lai YC, Chang-Chien GP, Tsai JH, Lin WY, Chang KC, Lee JT. Determination of levels of persistent organic pollutants (PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, PBDEs, PCBs, and PBBs) in atmosphere near a municipal solid waste incinerator. CHEMOSPHERE 2010; 80:1220-1226. [PMID: 20598339 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2009] [Revised: 04/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
This work develops a comprehensive approach for quantitatively analyzing polychlorinated and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs/PBDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs/PBDFs), biphenyls (PCBs/PBBs) and diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). This technique, based on multiple (silica, alumina, and active carbon) columns, can be applied to prepare samples for determining the five group compounds based on high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. The method was also validated by analyses of blank and spiked samples. In the sampled air, the mean PCDD/F, PCB, PBDD/F, PBDE, and PBB concentrations were 59.6 fg WHO-TEQ Nm(-3), 6.74 fg WHO-TEQ Nm(-3), 12.2 fg WHO-TEQ Nm(-3), 52100 fg Nm(-3), and 341 fg Nm(-3), respectively. The WHO-TEQ of dioxin-like PCB and PBDD/Fs counted for 8.9% and 16% of total TEQ (summed over PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, and dioxin-like PCBs), respectively, suggesting that the atmospheric concentrations of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds should be regulated together because of the persistence and toxicity of PBDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao-Sung Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering Science, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1 Shue-Fu Rd., Nei Pu 91207, Pingtung, Taiwan
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Chen YC, Tsai PJ, Wang LC, Shih M, Lee WJ. An integrated approach for identification of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) pollutant sources based on human blood contents. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2010; 17:759-769. [PMID: 19455360 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-009-0162-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2008] [Accepted: 04/12/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE This study developed an integrated approach to identify pollutant sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) of workers based on their blood contents. MATERIALS AND METHODS We first measured blood PCDD/F contents of sinter plant workers and residents living near the plant. By comparing those blood indicatory PCDD/Fs found for residents with those for sinter plant workers, exposure-related blood indicatory PCDD/Fs were identified for each selected worker. We then measured PCDD/F concentrations of four different sinter plant workplaces and three different ambient environments of the background. By comparing those airborne indicatory PCDD/Fs found for ambient environments with those for sinter plant workplaces, exposure-related airborne indicatory PCDD/Fs for each workplace were obtained. Finally, by matching exposure-related blood indicatory PCDD/Fs with exposure-related airborne indicatory PCDD/Fs, all suspected pollutant sources were identified for each selected worker. RESULTS Poor Pearson correlations were found between workers' blood contents and their corresponding PCDD/F exposures. Significant differences were found in the top three blood indicatory PCDD/Fs among the selected workers. By matching exposure-related blood indicatory PCDD/Fs with exposure-related airborne indicatory PCDD/Fs, two to three suspected pollutant sources were identified for each selected worker. DISCUSSION The poor Pearson correlation found between workers' airborne PCDD/Fs exposures and their blood contents was because workers' blood PCDD/Fs contents were contributed not only by workers' occupational exposures, but also by other exposure sources and exposure routes. The difference in blood indicatory PCDD/Fs among the selected workers were obviously due to the intrinsic differences in their time/activity patterns in the involved workplaces. While workers used a dust respirator to perform their jobs, gas phase exposure-related airborne indicatory PCDD/Fs played an important role on identifying suspected pollutant sources. But if a dust respirator was not used, the gas + particle phase exposure-related airborne indicatory PCDD/Fs would become the key factor for identifying suspected pollutant sources. CONCLUSIONS The developed integrated approach could identify all suspected pollutant sources effectively for selected workers based on their blood contents. The identified pollutant sources were theoretically plausible since they could be verified by examining workers' time/activity patterns, their status in using dust respirators, and the concentrations of PCDD/Fs found in the selected workplace atmospheres. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES The developed technique can be used to identify possible pollutant sources not only for workers but also for many other exposure groups associated with various emission sources and exposure routes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Cheng Chen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70428, Taiwan
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Shen L, Gewurtz SB, Reiner EJ, Macpherson KA, Kolic TM, Khurana V, Helm PA, Howell ET, Burniston DA, Brindle ID, Marvin CH. Occurrence and sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in surficial sediments of Lakes Superior and Huron. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2009; 157:1210-1218. [PMID: 19167794 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2008.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2008] [Accepted: 12/04/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations and congener profile patterns of 2378-substituted PCDD/Fs and DLPCBs in offshore, nearshore and tributary sediments of Lakes Superior and Huron are reported, and spatial trends and source contributions assessed. PCDD/F concentrations ranged from 5 to 18,000 pg/g dw (Lake Superior) and 3 to 6100 pg/g dw (Lake Huron); DLPCBs ranged from 9 to 11,000 pg/g dw (Lake Superior) and 9 to 27,000 pg/g dw (Lake Huron). Our analysis indicated atmospheric deposition is a primary source to depositional areas of both lakes; however, greater PCDD/F and DLPCB concentrations were observed at several nearshore and tributary sites, and were attributed to corresponding land use in the watershed. Statistical analysis and pattern comparison suggested that industrial inputs mainly associated with wood treatment plants, pulp and paper mills, mining operations, and chlorine-based chemical manufacturing also contributed to contamination by PCDD/Fs and DLPCBs in certain nearshore and offshore areas of Lakes Superior and Huron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Shen
- Department of Chemistry, Brock University, St Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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Shih TS, Shih M, Lee WJ, Huang SL, Wang LC, Chen YC, Tsai PJ. Particle size distributions and health-related exposures of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) of sinter plant workers. CHEMOSPHERE 2009; 74:1463-1470. [PMID: 19118865 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.11.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2008] [Revised: 11/18/2008] [Accepted: 11/19/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This study measured particle size distributions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in two workplace atmospheres of the sintering grate and rough roll shredder in a sintering plant, and to assess their workers' health-related exposures. We found that the PCDD/F concentration of the sintering grate (site A=14.47 pg m(-3)) was lower than that of the rough roll shredder (site B=17.20 pg m(-3)). Particle size distributions of PCDD/Fs were in the form of the unimodal with the mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 4.74 microm and 5.23 microm, and geometric standard deviation (sigma(g)) of 3.15 and 2.15 for the site A and B, respectively. The above results suggest that the workplace of the site A had a less fraction of coarse particles than that of the site B. The estimated PCDD/F concentrations of the inhalable fraction (11.0 pg m(-3)) and thoracic fraction (8.89 pg m(-3)) of the site A were lower than those of the site B (12.4 and 9.39 pg m(-3), respectively). But to the contrary the estimated respirable fraction of the site A (5.05 pg m(-3)) was slightly higher than that of the site B (4.93 pg m(-3)). Our results clearly indicate the importance to conduct particle size segregating samplings for assessing human PCDD/F exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung-Sheng Shih
- Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan, 99, Lane 407, Heng-Ke Rd., Shijr, Taipei, Taiwan
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Exposure Assessment of Workers to Airborne PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs at an Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking Plant in the UK. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 52:213-25. [DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/men011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Shih TS, Lee WJ, Shih M, Chen YC, Huang SL, Wang LC, Chang-Chien GP, Tsai PJ. Exposure and health-risk assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) for sinter plant workers. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2008; 34:102-7. [PMID: 17761285 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2007.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2007] [Revised: 07/20/2007] [Accepted: 07/24/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
This study was set out to assess polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) exposures and health-risk impact posed on sinter plant workers. One sinter plant located in southern Taiwan was selected and their workers were divided into four exposure groups based on their work tasks, including raw material charging workers, sintering grate workers, shredding workers, and others. Results show that their mean total PCDD/F and the corresponding total I-TEQ exposure levels shared the same trend as: shredding workers>others>sintering grate workers>raw material charging workers. For all selected exposure groups, their PCDD/F exposures were dominated by the particle phase contents. Congener profiles of the gaseous+particle phase PCDD/Fs were found with more fractions of high chlorinated congeners than low chlorinated congeners. The lifetime average daily doses (LADDs) and their resultant excess cancer risks (ECRs) found for sinter plant workers were higher than those residents living at the residential area and rural area, but were lower than those living at the nearby of the selected sinter plant, urban area, industrial area. Considering ECRs of the sinter plant workers were still higher than 10(-6) suggesting the need for adopting proper control measurements for reducing workers' PCDD/F exposures, particularly for those sinter zone workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung-Sheng Shih
- Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan, 99, Lane 407, Heng-Ke Rd., Shijr, Taipei, Taiwan
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Wang LC, Tsai CH, Chang-Chien GP, Hung CH. Characterization of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in different atmospheric environments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2008; 42:75-80. [PMID: 18350878 DOI: 10.1021/es071924q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have measured polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) in the atmosphere. In this study,four categories of atmospheric environments, including rural (Kengting national park, Taitung county, and Yilan county), urban (north Kaohsiung city and south Taichung city), industrial (Lin-hai industrial park), and science park (Hsinchu science park) areas were investigated for their characteristics of 2,3,7,8-substituted PBDD/F and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The elevated PCDD/F I-TEQ concentrations and higher ratio of PCDFs to PCDDs in the industrial areas reveal that the metallurgical facilities, including sinter plants, electric arc furnaces, secondary aluminum smelters, and secondary copper smelters, significantly influence their surrounding atmospheric environments. The mean PBDD/F concentrations in the atmosphere of the rural, urban, industrial, and science park areas were 11, 24, 46, and 95 fg/Nm3, respectively, while the corresponding mean TEQ concentrations were 2.7, 6.4, 12, and 31 fg TEQ/Nm3, respectively. The significantly high correlation (r = 0.85, p = 0.034)found betweenthe PBDD/F and PCDD/F concentrations in the atmospheres of the industrial areas reveals that the metallurgical facilities are also the most likely PBDD/F emission sources in the industrial areas. The PBDD/F concentration in the science park area was approximately 2-fold higher than that in the industrial areas, whereas PCDD/F I-TEQ concentration in the area was only 23% of that in the industrial areas. The elevated PBDD/F concentrations in the science park areas may be attributed to the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers as brominated flame retardants in the electrical and electronics industries, which contribute to direct PBDD/F emissions into the environment. PBDFs were all much more dominant than PBDDs in the atmosphere, and their mass fractions increase with PBDD/F concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Chi Wang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Cheng Shiu University, 840, Chengching Road, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan, ROC.
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