Characterization of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in flue gas from thermal industrial processes in Vietnam: A comprehensive investigation on emission profiles and levels. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pham, Mai Thi Ngoc; Anh, Hoang Quoc; Nghiem, Xuan Truong; Tu, Binh Minh; Dao, Thi Nhung; Nguyen, My Hang
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 225(2019)
• Page Start: 238
• Page End: 246
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: PCDD/Fs -- Dioxin-like PCBs -- Flue gas -- Waste incineration -- Metallurgy -- Vietnam; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The emission profiles and levels of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (U-POPs) comprising polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) were comprehensively investigated in flue gas released from 20 facilities belonging to 11 thermal industrial processes in Vietnam. Levels and patterns of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in flue gas samples varied widely between sectors and different facilities in the same sector, suggesting different formation mechanisms involved. Flue gas concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs generally decreased in the order: industrial waste incinerator > secondary zinc production > coal fired craft boiler > coal fired power plant ≈ medical waste incinerator > steel production ≈ cement production > secondary copper production > coal fired industrial boiler > secondary tin production ≈ municipal waste incinerator. Results obtained from diagnostic ratio and fingerprint analysis have revealed that the stack emissions of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were probably attributed to the de novo formation and incomplete destruction of input materials containing technical PCB oils or paints. The average emission factors of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs ranged from 0.011 to 374 μg WHO-TEQ tonne −1 for the studied facilities. A total emission amount of 4.89–11.4 g WHO-TEQ year −1 was estimated for the 20 facilities investigated in our study. This is the first comprehensive investigation on the unintentional emissions of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs from a wide range of industrial sectors in Vietnam. Highlights: PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels and profiles were examined in Vietnamese flue gas samples. Industrial waste, zinc, and coal boiler flue gas contained elevated PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels. Different formation mechanisms of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were estimated. TEQ emission factors and annual emission amounts were estimated.