Abstract
The concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the ambient air of two municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) and one coal-fired power plant (TPP) were determined. Along with the sites mentioned above, eight ambient air samples were collected. Cluster analysis was carried out to determine the relationship of PBDE characteristics between each site. Finally, PBDE dispersion modeling in the atmosphere was applied by using ISCST3 (Industrial Source Complex Short Term 3) to assess the impact of the above two municipal solid waste incinerators and one coal-fired power plant on the ambient air. The total-PBDE concentrations in the ambient air were between 24.9 and 139 pg/Nm3, averaging 59.8 pg/Nm3 (n = 16). The BDE-209, BDE-47 and BDE-207 were the most predominant three among all 30 PBDE congeners, which contributed more than 58%, 9%, and 4% of total-PBDE mass to the ambient air, respectively. The results of cluster analysis indicated that no direct correlations existed among the emission sources (MSWI-A, MSWI-B, TPP) and the receptors (sampling sites). From the results of dispersion modeling, the annual total PBDE concentration in ambient air contributed by the MSWI-A, MSWI-B, TPP together were found to be 0.0259% ± 0.0208%. Hence, the results of both cluster analysis and dispersion modeling showed that MWSI-A, MSWI-B, and TPP were definitely not the major contributors of PBDEs to the ambient air environment. The ashes collected from the air pollution control devices of both the MSWIs and the TPP are probably a more important environmental issue and therefore should be paid more attention to.
Highlights
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants that have been extensively used as additives for flame retardation (FR) worldwide since the 1970’s
The BDE-209, BDE-47 and BDE-207 were the most predominant three among all 30 PBDE congeners, which contributed more than 58%, 9%, and 4% of total-PBDE mass to the ambient air, respectively
The reason why the average concentrations in the vicinity of municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs)-A are higher than those of MSWI-B could be a result of proximity to the MWSI-A industrial park, the influence of TPP emissions, and the elevated terrain in the vicinity of MSWI-B
Summary
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants that have been extensively used as additives for flame retardation (FR) worldwide since the 1970’s. This is due to the fact that they are the cheapest, yet most effective, fire retardants (FRs) (Rahman et al, 2001). The most common PBDE products in the market are penta-, octa, and deca-BDE mixtures. Due to their high toxic effects on human beings and animals, the manufacturing and usage of these commercial penta- and octa-BDE mixtures were banned during August, 2004 in the European Union, with the exception of deca-BDE products. The use of PBDEs is still not restricted in
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