Cigarette smoke or exhaust gas from waste incineration – where are more dioxins?

Justyna Czerwińska,Grzegorz Wielgosiński

doi:10.32933/actainnovations.31.9

Abstract

In Poland, incineration is a relatively new method of waste treatment. Modern installations for waste incineration have two functions: they reduce the quantity (volume) of the waste and are a source of electricity and/or heat. During all combustion processes including waste incineration, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCD/Fs) (well known as dioxins) are formed. These compounds are considered to be extremely dangerous for living organisms including human beings. Dioxins are formed in any process of combustion of solid and liquid fuels in the presence of chlorine, oxygen and organic matter at appropriate temperatures. Combustion processes also occur during cigarette smoking, which is also a source of dioxin emissions. Although smoking has been classified as a less important source of dioxins in the environment, it directly affects our health. This work’s aim is to determine and compare the degree of harmfulness caused by the amount of inhaled dioxins: cigarette smoking or living near a waste incineration plant. Based on literature and experimental data, the concentration of dioxins in cigarette smoke and exhaust gases generated by municipal waste incineration plants as well as number of dioxins absorbed per day by the body will be presented.

Highlights

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), known in short as dioxins and furans, are widely regarded as one of the most dangerous environmental poisons
Based on literature and experimental data, the concentration of dioxins in cigarette smoke and exhaust gases generated by municipal waste incineration plants as well as number of dioxins absorbed per day by the body will be presented
Research and results Based on literature and mentioned above experimental data, it was decided to compare the concentrations of dioxins in cigarette smoke, exhaust gases produced during combustion of so-called refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and flue gas streams from domestic coal-fired boilers

Summary

Introduction

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), known in short as dioxins and furans, are widely regarded as one of the most dangerous environmental poisons. In small domestic furnaces, the oxygenation of the combustion zone is insufficient and, as a result, incomplete combustion occurs This is manifested by increased emissions of carbon monoxide and organic micro-pollutants. Dioxin concentrations in the cigarette smoke can reach up to 2 ng TEQ/m3, i.e. at least 20 times higher than the permissible concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in exhaust gases from waste incineration plants [17]. Research and results Based on literature and mentioned above experimental data, it was decided to compare the concentrations of dioxins in cigarette smoke, exhaust gases produced during combustion of so-called refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and flue gas streams from domestic coal-fired boilers.

RDF incineration plant

Cigarette smoking