Release Of Dioxins Research Articles

Conversion of obsolete keyboard plastics mixed with egg shells and fly ash into concrete brick cubes

Plastic waste is a menace due to its non-degradable properties and chemical composition. Owing to inefficient recycling methods, around 90% of the E-waste plastics are landfilled every year. Burning of E-waste plastics results into the release of dioxins and furans which create severe environmental threats and health hazards. Several studies have been conducted on the utilization of plastics like soda bottles, plastic bags, etc. comprising of single polymers. However, the sustainable utilization of E-waste plastics is limited because E-waste along with plastics is also comprised of another key ingredients that are critical to recycle. US EPA (2012) study reported that approximately 94% of non-metallic fractions (Plastics) in E-waste are landfilled every year. Also, the plastic in E-waste forms a more complex polymer blend, and hence the initiative toward its safe recycling is limited.This article presents an endeavor towards transforming obsolete keyboard plastics into concrete brick cubes mixed with fly ash and eggshell. FTIR test was conducted to screen the polymers present in E-waste plastics. Qualitative and quantitative tests, such as water absorption, bulk density, compressive strength, hardness, and soundness tests were performed to compare different sets A, B, C, D, and E of the brick cubes. The heavy metals in the plastics were found to be within the permissible limit as per RoHS Standard, US EPA, 1989. The obtained peak of the FTIR test revealed (ABS, TBBA, and PC) polymers which were found to be efficient materials for the preparation of concrete brick cubes. The comprehensive strength (15.25 N/mm2) of brick cube D, comprising keyboard plastic, eggshell, and fly ash as 3.12%, 3.12%, and 6.25%, respectively, was found to be almost similar to the second-class bricks. The experimental approach directs that the conversion of E-waste plastics into concrete brick cubes is a better way to obtrude unusual pressure on the environment.

The Fallout of Catastrophic Technogenic Emissions of Toxic Gases Can Negatively Affect Covid-19 Clinical Course.

The coronavirus D-19 (Covid-19) pandemic has shaken almost every country in the world: as we stand, 6,3 million deaths from the infection have already been recorded, 167,000 and 380,000 of which are in Italy and the Russian Federation, respectively. In the first wave of the pandemic, Italy suffered an abnormally high death toll. A detailed analysis of available epidemiological data suggests that that rate was shockingly high in the Northern regions and in Lombardy, in particular, whilst in the southern region the situation was less dire. This inexplicably high mortality rate in conditions of a very well-developed health care system such as the one in Lombardy - recognized as one of the best in Italy - certainly cries for a convincing explanation. In 1976, the small city of Seveso, Lombardy, experienced a release of dioxin into the atmosphere after a massive technogenic accident. The immediate effects of the industrial disaster did not become apparent until a surge in the number of tumors in the affected population in the subsequent years. In this paper, we endeavor to prove our hypothesis that the release of dioxin was a negative cofactor that contributed to a worsening of the clinical course of COVID-19 in Lombardy.

Characterisation and Treatment of Automobile and Battery Water Waste Using Coagulation and Adsorption Technique

Adsorption processes have seen a broad level of usage by various researchers over the years to remove heavy metals from waste streams. An adsorbent frequently used is activated carbon. Although activated carbon is used extensively in water and wastewater industries, it remains expensive. In recent years, there has been a need for economical and safe methods for heavy metal elimination from contaminated water. This need has only grown, which gave rise to research aimed toward producing low-cost alternatives to activated carbon. There is an urgent need to explore all possible sources of inexpensive agro-based adsorbents, and heavy metal removal's feasibility should be studied in great detail. This research objective is to learn how inexpensive adsorbents can remove heavy metals from wastewater. Treating Automobile battery waste efficiently remains a significant challenge due to its enormous quantity, hazardous nature, and complexity. When effective treatment technology has poor implementation, this aggravates the situation and worsens the situation further in countries with high and rising populations. This leads to more pressures of urbanisation and industrials, giving room for more industrial waste. This research suggests the best possible options by critically reviewing the existing practices. While slow biological treatment schemes usually fail to support microbial activities in the presence of toxic components in concentrations, other physicochemical plans often need to meet strict waste disposal and discharge regulations. The approach where sludge disposal is thermally incinerated has never seen environmental justification, and this is because of dioxin release and obnoxious substances transferred directly. Newly emerging membrane-based schemes can be flexible, environmentally friendly, petite, economically self-sufficient, and easy to implement and maintain after installation.

Seasonal Dynamics of Carbon-Containing Compounds under Different Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors

It was found that the processes of exchange of carbon compounds between the soil and the atmosphere are characterized by high variation in different periods of the annual cycle. It has been proved that CO2 emission, as well as the release and absorption of methane from the soil, is the main expenditure item in the balance of organic matter, which significantly affects the fertility and the level of productivity of agrobiocenoses. Soil fertility management and carbon gas cycle processes largely overlap. With an increase in the content of organic carbon from 0.55 to 0.98%, the loss of carbon dioxin and the absorption of methane compounds increase 1.5–4.3 times. A weak correlation was established between the release of carbon dioxin and the degree of soil cultivation (Kendall coefficient r = 0.23 at p = 0.05), seasonal dynamics of soil moisture r = 0,23 at p = 0,05) and a strong one (r = 0,87 at p = 0.000,2) with methane release / uptake dynamics. The same relationship was found between the dynamics of carbon dioxide release and the temperature of the soil layer 0–5 (Pearson’s coefficient r = 0.82–0.84 at p = 0.003–0.04), and 0-20 cm (r = 0.68–0.71 at p = 0.003–0.006).

Dioxin Contamination after a Hypothetical Accidental Fire in Baled Municipal Solid Waste Storage

Landfill management usually entails dealing with the production of leachate and the formation of biogas, with the related environmental and public health concerns. One element that tends not to be investigated, is the risk of a fire with the consequent emission of toxic substances, especially dioxins. This study focuses on the case of an existing landfill in which the waste is placed in cylindrical wrapped bales, and where for the purposes of this study, the burning of the waste mass was hypothesized. The Austal2000 model system was used in order to estimate the average air concentrations and the deposition values of PCDD/F.The analysis showed that a landfill may be at risk in terms of fire potential with the consequent release of dioxins. Storage in bales, for various reasons, increases this risk. The analysis of the effects show that the environment and public health would be very seriously compromised. The recovery of the chosen landfill is therefore necessary, especially given the potential dioxin release. The presented analysis wants to be a warning for decision makers who could choose to implement large bale storages without an adequate attention to fire prevention.

Release of Dioxins from Solid Waste Burning and its Impacts on Urban Human Population- A Review

Dioxins are highly persistent toxic compounds that stay in the food chain and environment for long time. In light of many recent and past studies, it is estimated that apart from various sources of dioxins release, one of the most prominent is the burning of solid waste whether open or through incineration. Dioxins are known for their reproductive and endocrinal disruption properties as well as causative agent for skin problems such as chloracne irrespective of the age and sex. Various case studies at large levels like as of Agent Orange and at individual levels support the toxic behavior of dioxins. Release of dioxins from solid waste burning can be controlled by considering some preventive protocols and following them seriously at the burning or incineration site.

Assessment of Dioxin and Furan Emission Levels and Management Practices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Introduction.An increase in population and related increased demand for health services, expansion of industries, and increasing transportation demands have increased the emission of dioxin and furan persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Objective.This study aimed to identify sources of dioxin and furan emissions, quantify their release into various environmental medias and assess related management practices.Methods.The standard United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) (2005) toolkit guide and default emission factor were used to identify the main anthropogenic sources and to quantify the amount of released dioxin and furan. Stratified random sampling techniques were applied to assess current management practices.Results.Nine main groups of dioxin and furan emission sources were identified. The emission of each source group was calculated by the activity rate data multiplied by an emission factor. The results found that about 138.85 g toxic equivalent(TEQ)/a(TEQ/year)of dioxin and furan were released to air, water, residue (materials remaining as sludge after sewage treatment or in the form of ash after incineration activity) and soil. Waste disposal activities recorded the largest release of dioxin and furan, accounting for 68.30 g TEQ/a of dioxin and furan to water and residue, 34.00 g TEQ/a to air and 0.64 g TEQ/a emitted into soil.Conclusions.Several sources of dioxin and furan emission were identified and the present study found that their management is inadequate. Waste disposal services are especially inadequate and generate higher amounts of dioxin and furan gasses. In addition, the organizations that are responsible for the release of dioxin and furan have no awareness of their release and inadequate management practices. The present study points to the need for reformulation of the national legal management framework, adoption of best available technology for disposal services such as incinerators with flue gas management, increasing public and stakeholders' awareness and participation and capacitating the responsible government organizations.

A primary estimation of PCDD/Fs release reduction from non-wood pulp and paper industry in China based on the investigation of pulp bleaching with chlorine converting to chlorine dioxide

Chlorine bleaching technology (C process, CEH process, H process and theirs combination), which was identified as a primary formation source of PCDD/Fs, is still widely used by the vast majority of Chinese non-wood pulp and paper mills (non-wood PMs). The purpose of this study was to provide information and data support for further eliminating dioxin for non-wood PMs in China, and especially to evaluate the PCDD/Fs release reduction for those mills converting their pulp bleaching processes from CEH to ECF. The PCDD/Fs concentrations of the bleached pulp and bleaching wastewater with ECF bleaching were in the ranges of 0.13–0.8 ng TEQ kg−1, and 0.15–1.9 pg TEQ L−1, respectively, which were far lower than those with CEH process, indicating that the ECF process is an effective alternative bleaching technology to replace CEH in Chinese non-wood PMs to reduce dioxin release. The release factor via flue gas of the alkali recovery boiler in Chinese non-wood PMs was first reported to be 0.092 μg TEQ Ad t−1 in this study. On the assumption that pulp bleaching processes of all Chinese non-wood PMs were converted from CEH to ECF, the annual release of PCDD/Fs via the bleaching wastewater and bleached pulp would be reduced by 79.1%, with a total of 1.60 g TEQ.

Heavy Metal Contamination of Soils around a Hospital Waste Incinerator Bottom Ash Dumps Site.

Waste incineration is the main waste management strategy used in treating hospital waste in many developing countries. However, the release of dioxins, POPs, and heavy metals in fly and bottom ash poses environmental and public health concerns. To determine heavy metal (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ag) in levels in incinerator bottom ash and soils 100 m around the incinerator bottom ash dump site, ash samples and surrounding soil samples were collected at 20 m, 40 m, 60 m, 80 m, 100 m, and 1,200 m from incinerator. These were analyzed using the absorption spectrophotometer method. The geoaccumulation (I geo) and pollution load indices (PLI) were used to assess the level of heavy metal contamination of surrounding soils. The study revealed high concentrations in mg/kg for, Zn (16417.69), Pb (143.80), Cr (99.30), and Cd (7.54) in bottom ash and these were above allowable limits for disposal in landfill. The study also found soils within 60 m radius of the incinerator to be polluted with the metals. It is recommended that health care waste managers be educated on the implication of improper management of incinerator bottom ash and regulators monitor hospital waste incinerator sites.

Exposure to Dioxins and Furans at the Bormeh Kingtom Dumpsite in the Western Area of Sierra Leone

Humans and animals can be exposed to Dioxins and Furans through ingestion of fatty food, skin contact, and breathing contaminated air. Resulting health problems include skin disease, immune problems, and cancers. Managing the release of these chemicals is therefore important. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants requires parties to adopt measures that reduce sources of these chemicals. Sierra Leone developed its National Implementation Plan (NIP) in 2008, in compliance with this requirement. However, no known further steps have been taken, particularly at community level. In 2013, the UNDP’s GEF/SGP funded a pilot project to manage the release of Dioxins and Furans from two dumpsites in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This work was sponsored with funds from that project. The work sought to delineate the exposure of communities within and around the Bormeh-Kingtom dumpsite (Kingtom, Kolleh town, Ascension town, Crab town, and Congo town) to the chemicals. The study considered sources of exposure, relative quantities generated per year, and the routes of exposure. This exposure study is a first step in managing the release from those sources. Enumerators deployed at the dumpsite every day, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, for three months, quantifying and recording source materials. The amount of source materials dumped per day informed calculation of Dioxin/Furan releases in grams toxicity equivalence per year. The results revealed a release of 128.914 g TEQ/year in air and residue. This implies that the communities are at high risk of inhalation and dermal exposure. Livestock, mainly pigs, are also exposed as they feed on the waste deposited in the dumpsite. Humans in turn feed on the livestock, a recipe for biomagnification. The project team has been working on developing Best Management Practices to suppress the release of the chemicals.

Dioxin formation and control in a gasification-melting plant.

We investigated dioxin formation and removal in a commercial thermal waste treatment plant employing a gasification and melting process that has become widespread in the last decade in Japan. The aim was to clarify the possibility of dioxin formation in a process operation at high temperatures and the applicability of catalytic decomposition of dioxins. Also, the possible use of dioxin surrogate compounds for plant monitoring was further evaluated. The main test parameter was the influence of changes in the amount and type of municipal solid waste (MSW) supplied to the thermal waste treatment plant which from day to day operation is a relevant parameter also from commercial perspective. Here especially, the plastic content on dioxin release was assessed. The following conclusions were reached: (1) disturbance of combustion by adding plastic waste above the capability of the system resulted in a considerable increase in dioxin content of the flue gas at the inlet of the bag house and (2) bag filter equipment incorporating a catalytic filter effectively reduced the gaseous dioxin content below the standard of 0.1 ng toxic equivalency (TEQ)/m(3) N, by decomposition and partly adsorption, as was revealed by total dioxin mass balance and an increased levels in the fly ash. Also, the possible use of organohalogen compounds as dioxin surrogate compounds for plant monitoring was further evaluated. The levels of these surrogates did not exceed values corresponding to 0.1 ng TEQ/m(3) N dioxins established from former tests. This further substantiated that surrogate measurement therefore can well reflect dioxin levels.

Evaluation of the release of dioxins and PCBs during kiln-firing of ball clay

Ball clay is known to be naturally contaminated with high levels of polychlorinated di-benzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs). This study evaluated the potential for PCDD, polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) release during the kiln firing of ball clay in an art studio. Toxic equivalence (TEQ) were calculated using World Health Organization (WHO) 2005 toxic equivalence factors (TEF) and congener concentrations. Ten bags of commercial ball clay were found to have an average TEQ of 1370nanograms/kilogram (ngkg−1) dry weight (dw), almost exclusively due to PCDDs (99.98% of TEQ). After firing, none of the 29 dioxin-like analytes was measured above the limits of detection (LOD) in the clay samples. Air samples were taken during firings using both low-flow and high-flow air samplers. Few low-flow air samples contained measurable levels of dioxin congeners above the LOD. The mean TEQ in the high volume air samples ranged from 0.07pgm-3 to 0.21pgm-3 when firing ball clay, and was 0.11pgm-3 when no clay was fired. These concentrations are within the range measured in typical residences and well-controlled industrial settings. The congener profiles in the high-flow air samples differed from the unfired clay; the air samples had a considerable contribution to the TEQ from PCDFs and PCBs. Given that the TEQs of all air samples were very low and the profiles differed from the unfired clay, it is likely that the PCDDs in dry ball clay were destroyed during kiln firing. These results suggest that inhalation of volatilized dioxins during kiln firing of dry ball clay is an unlikely source of exposure for vocational and art ceramicists.

Using the UNEP Toolkit to estimate environmental dioxin exposure in the GEO3N study

Background : Dioxins are produced during incomplete combustion of chlorine compounds in several industrial processes. They are suspected to play a role in the development of hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer. Aims : The Geo3N project aims to analyse the relation between environmental dioxin exposure from multiple sources and breast cancer in the French E3N cohort. A pilot study is conducted in the Rhône-Alpes Region (France). To estimate dioxin exposure through a geographic information system (GIS), a first step aims to make an inventory of dioxin emissions from 1990 to 2008. Methods : Inventory of relevant sources and dioxin emissions through public and institutional information sources were performed. We used the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Dioxin and Furan Releases to assess relevant sources known to release dioxins and estimate annual dioxin emissions. Results : Based on the Toolkit, more than 200 relevant industries and activities in the Rhône-Alpes Region were included and detailed information on key parameters gathered (exact location, activity periods and levels, process characteristics and technologies). For some sources and periods, reliable data were lacking or nonexistent, in particular for closed sites and no measured releases were available prior to 1997 for larger plants. Based on the default UNEP emission factors, we estimated dioxin emissions for the 200 sources identified in the Rhône-Alpes Region and compared them when available, with dioxin release data. Source characteristics and emission estimates were reviewed by a panel of 8 experts. We will present and discuss results of applying the UNEP Tollkit to France to estimate dioxin releases from multiple sources. Conclusion : Although default emission factors may be prone to uncertainties, the Toolkit provides a standardized methodology, to estimate dioxin emissions. Combined with a GIS, it will contribute to improve characterization of dioxin exposures in epidemiology study design.

Environmental release of dioxins from reservoir sources during beach nourishment programs

In late 1990s, USEPA/FDA made an important connection regarding the presence of elevated levels of dioxins (e.g., 1500ngkg−1 TEQ) in ball clays mined in Mississippi (USA) from a geological deposit dated to ∼40million years (Mississippi Embayment) that stretches over several states (northern part of Mississippi to Kentucky) and levels of dioxins in selected animal food sources. Following a recent beach nourishment program along the mid-Atlantic coast of the US, a number of dark gray, blue tinted nuggets of varying sizes were found on beach strands and near the shoreline. Using the presence of these balls of clay (shape, color, and knowledge regarding their use in pottery) on the beach, together with our direct experience analyzing ball clays for dioxins, we made a possible association between these clays and elevated dioxins. Concerns regarding the potential of nourishment programs to cause severe damage to our beaches drove us to test the dioxin content of nourishment exposed clays. A number of the nuggets, along with freshly dredged and deposited sand (collected the morning after nourishment) with the same coloration, and others (sun-bleached), collected approximately 2weeks after the completion of the nourishment efforts, were analyzed for the presence of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and selected semi-volatile chlorinated organics. The clay PCDD/F WHO2005-TEQs (dry weight; ND=DL; EMPC=EMPC) ranged from 0.41 to 5.78ngkg−1 with an average of 2.64ngkg−1, whereas the sand sample’s TEQs ranged from 0.18 to 0.31ngkg−1 PCDD/F WHO-2005, with an average of 0.22ngkg−1. The average total tetra- through octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin concentration was 2700ngkg−1 (with a maximum of 5800ngkg−1) for the clays and 8.5ngkg−1 (with a maximum of 16.8ngkg−1) for the sand samples. The congener 2,3,7,8-TCDD (TEF=1) was detected in half of the clay samples (0.11–0.77ngkg−1). All of the clay and sand samples displayed an unambiguous and dominating 1,4,6,9-chlorination pattern across homolog groups. No other chlorinated aromatics were detected above background levels. The observations, along with the absence or an extremely low level of polychlorinated dibenzofurans, together with the mineralogical analysis, supports the conclusion that off-shore dredging activities are reaching reservoir sources containing dioxin-tainted, smectic/kaolinite clay minerals. Subsequent beach erosion provides additional environmental releases over time, as buried balls of clay from previous nourishment efforts become exposed.

Shifting Mountains of Electronic Waste

Shifting Mountains of Electronic Waste

Effects-Directed Analysis of Sediments From Polluted Marine Sites in Norway

The environmental status of two polluted marine sites in Norway was investigated by a combination of target chemical analysis and effect-directed analysis (EDA). The two selected sites, the Grenland area and Oslo harbor, in addition to two reference sites, were classified according to the Norwegian environmental classification system based upon results of the target chemical analyses. The polluted sites were characterized by high levels of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). High levels of organotin compounds were also detected in Oslo harbor. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist activity in extracts of sediments from marine sites close to Oslo, Oslo harbor, and Grenland were investigated using the CALUX (chemical-activated luciferase expression) assay, which showed elevated levels of activity. As expected from the history of dioxin release into the Grenland area, the results were highest in this area. The presence of estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) antagonists was also detected in the sediment extracts. Following fractionation of the sediment extracts, EDA was used to tentatively identify the AhR agonists. The compounds responsible for AhR agonist activity in samples from Oslo harbor were isolated in fraction 13, and to a lesser extent in fractions 9–11. In Grenland, the main activity was found in the more polar fractions, namely fractions 14–18. The AhR agonists identified in Oslo harbor were mainly PAH, while in the Grenland area the compounds identified were mainly nitrogen/oxygen-containing polyaromatic compounds (N/O-PAC).

Dioxin Emissions and Human Exposure in China: A Brief History of Policy and Research

Dioxin Emissions and Human Exposure in China: A Brief History of Policy and Research

The Chartherm process, what’s in the name?

Earlier research has identified the Chartherm process (Thermya, France) as a candidate for the best available technology to treat chromated copper arsenate (CCA) impregnated wood waste. This paper presents the working principle, the characteristics and the current state-of-knowledge related to the process, illustrating clearly the differences with pyrolysis and carbonisation processes. To emphasise the specific nature of the process, it has been given its own name 'chartherisation'. The avoidance of tar and dioxin release, the role of the solid matrix in the metal behaviour and the separation process are described. Furthermore, the possible benefits of working at elevated pressure are discussed, based on the experience with charcoal production from coal and biomass. This paper shows that more fundamental research is needed to understand and model all mechanisms contributing to the characteristic nature of chartherisation, in order to control the dynamic behaviour and tune the operating conditions in the reactor on the quality of the products requested.

Colombian inventory of dioxin and furan release vectors and sources for 2002

This paper reports the main results of a project to establish a Colombian inventory of dioxin and furan release vectors and sources during 2002. The project followed the methodology proposed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in the ‘Standardized Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Dioxin and Furan Releases’, Toolkit, first issued in May 2003. The country specific, dioxin and furan emitting sources were identified, according to the sources stated in the guide material and their releases were quantified from the information gathered for each one of the processes and using default emission factors proposed in the Toolkit. The total emissions were, 945.42 g TEQ/a (grams of toxic equivalent per year). The main sources are uncontrolled combustion estimated as 46.06% of the total emissions and waste incineration as 30.05%. The most important emissions vectors are air at 52.07% and residues at 39.43% of total. Some limitations were encountered in data gathering. There are no official records for some of the subcategories that are intended to be taken into account. The per capita emission rate in Colombia is relatively low, compared to other countries with similar levels of industrial development.

Capacity estimation and preliminary strategy for reducing the release of dioxins in China

As a party of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, China must submit its national implementation plan (NIP) for this convention. The strategy and action plan for reducing the release of dioxins in China are the most important components of the NIP. Three problems are key points for developing such strategy and action plan—what are the key sources for applying the best available technology/best environmental practice (BAT/BEP) to reduce the release of dioxins? How about the capacity for reducing the dioxins release from the key sources? Where are the areas of priority for applying BAT/BEP? This paper shows the efforts towards the solution of these problems. The list of key sources covering about half of the total dioxins release was determined considering four criteria. The capacity of key sources were estimated based on the difference between the emission factor corresponding to the actual situation in 2004 and that corresponding to the scenario that all key sources have been applied BAT/BEP to reduce the dioxins release. The priority analysis using the geographical information system (GIS) tool has revealed that castern provinces should be of high priority in the future reduction activities of dioxins release in China.