Concentrations Of Tetrachloroethylene Research Articles

Wildfires Increase Concentrations of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Downwind Communities.

Due in part to climate change, wildfire activity is increasing, with the potential for greater public health impact from smoke in downwind communities. Studies examining the health effects of wildfire smoke have focused primarily on fine particulate matter (PM2.5), but there is a need to better characterize other constituents, such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). HAPs are chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects that are regulated by the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency. Here, we analyzed concentrations of 21 HAPs in wildfire smoke from 2006 to 2020 at 309 monitors across the western US. Additionally, we examined HAP concentrations measured in a major population center (San Jose, CA) affected by multiple fires from 2017 to 2020. We found that concentrations of select HAPs, namely acetaldehyde, acrolein, chloroform, formaldehyde, manganese, and tetrachloroethylene, were all significantly elevated on smoke-impacted versus nonsmoke days (P < 0.05). The largest median increase on smoke-impacted days was observed for formaldehyde, 1.3 μg/m3 (43%) higher than that on nonsmoke days. Acetaldehyde increased 0.73 μg/m3 (36%), and acrolein increased 0.14 μg/m3 (34%). By better characterizing these chemicals in wildfire smoke, we anticipate that this research will aid efforts to reduce exposures in downwind communities.

An in-situ cosolvent/electrokinetics/pumping (CEP) technique to remediate the groundwater site contaminated by tetrachloroethylene

A novel integrated remediation system was constructed by combining the cosolvent, electrokinetics (EK), and pumping techniques (i.e., the CEP remediation) at the chlorinated-contaminated groundwater site. The groundwater site was a certain factory polluted for more than 10 years and the tetrachloroethylene (PCE) concentration of the groundwater was around 1.0 mg/L. The removal mechanisms of the CEP remediation comprise dissolution enhancement of PCE in the groundwater (cosolvent effect), the electro-osmotic flow (EO flow) to remove the PCE adsorbed on the soils (EK process) and the transport of PCE-contaminated groundwater to the wastewater treatment plant (pumping process). Under the sole cosolvent treatment (i.e., ethanol injected in the remediation well), the pH values of groundwater were maintained at 5.56–5.62 and removal efficiency of PCE was 28 % after 70-day treatment. In contrast, the pH and EC of groundwater could be stabilized at 6.3 and 1,200 µS/cm, respectively; the PCE removal efficiency reached around 68 % (decreased from 0.954 mg/L to 0.303 mg/L) after 70-day CEP treatment and no rebound phenomenon occurred. In addition to the aforementioned physicochemical mechanisms, the addition of ethanol can promote the formation of microorganisms and its main dominant bacteria will degrade chlorine-containing pollutants. During the CEP operation, the groundwater qualities such as pH, EC, total organic carbon (TOC), and heavy-metal concentrations could meet the standard of discharge water. Accordingly, the CEP technique demonstrated its practical feasibility to clean up chlorinated-contaminated groundwater.

Field application of glycerol to enhance reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes and its impact on microbial community

Chlorinated ethenes (CEs) are common and persistent contaminants of soil and groundwater. Their degradation is mostly driven by a process of bacterial reductive dechlorination (also called organohalide respiration) in anaerobic conditions. This study summarizes the outcomes of the long-term in-situ application of glycerol for the enhanced reductive dechlorination of CEs on a highly contaminated site. Glycerol injection resulted in an almost immediate increase in the abundance of fermentative Firmicutes, which produce essential sources of carbon (acetate) and electrons (H2) for organohalide-respiring bacteria (OHRB) and change groundwater conditions to be suitable for OHRB growth. The decreased redox potential of groundwater promoted also the proliferation of sulfate-reducing bacteria, which compete for electron donors with OHRB but at the same time support their growth by producing essential corrinoids and acetate. A considerable increase in the abundance of OHRB Dehalococcoides, concurrently with vinyl chloride (VC) reductase gene levels, was revealed by real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. Consistent with the shifts in bacterial populations, the concentrations of pollutants tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene decreased during the monitoring period, with rising levels of cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, VC, and most importantly, the final CE degradation products: ethene and ethane. Our study implies the importance of syntrophic bacterial interactions for successful and complete CE degradation and evaluates glycerol as convenient substrate to enhance reductive dechlorination and as an effective source of electrons for OHRB.

Volatile organic compounds in water matrices: Recent progress, challenges, and perspective

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of organic compounds that have a molecular structure containing carbon and their chemical properties allow them to be easily converted to steam and gas and remain for a long period of time and have diverse effects on the environment. The purpose of this study is determination of the concentration of VOCs such as alachlor, anthracene, benzene, bromoform, chloroform, heptachlor, isophorone, tetrachloroethylene, γ -chlordane, toluene, etc. in water matrices. The results showed that among studies conducted on VOCs, the concentration of tetrachloroethylene, m,p-xylene, and toluene were at the top in water matrices, and the lowest average concentrations were found in chloroform, anthracene, and butyl benzyl phthalate. In terms of VOC concentrations in water matrices, China was the most polluted country. Moreover, the data analysis indicated that China was the only country with carcinogenic risk. A Monte-Carlo simulation showed that although the averages obtained were comparable to the acceptable limits, for heptachlor, the maximum carcinogenic risk is achieved at a level that is slightly over the limit, only 25% from the population being exposed.

Constraints in Anaerobic Microbial Dechlorination, Fermentation, and Sulfate-Reduction Induced by High Concentrations of Tetrachloroethylene

Anaerobic bioremediation of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) under high concentration conditions is difficult. Anaerobic dechlorination of PCE occurs with synergetic reactions, fermentation, and sulfate-reduction; however, the way in which high concentrations of PCE affects these reactions is still poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate how high concentrations of PCE affect fermentation and sulfate-reduction, as well as PCE dechlorination. Laboratory dechlorination tests were performed using a wide concentration range of PCE between 2 and 125 mg/L added to a microbial consortium that had been continuously cultivated in the laboratory and completely dechlorinated PCE for over 4 years. Fermentation of lactate, reduction of sulfate, and dechlorination of PCE were monitored in addition to microbial activities based on RNA. All three reactions, fermentation, sulfate-reduction, and PCE dechlorination were observed to be inhibited. The inhibition for fermentation, sulfate-reduction, and dechlorination occurred when PCE concentrations were higher than 125, 75, and 30 mg/L, respectively. The fermenter, Anaerotignum, and the sulfate-reducer, Desulfosporosinus, were active when the dechlorination was inhibited with 30 mg/L of PCE. These findings suggest that there is interference of PCE dechlorination, despite the occurrence of fermentation and sulfate reduction. Bioaugmentation with a PCE dechlorinator that is tolerant to high PCE concentrations can be a possible solution for bioremediation of PCE when its concentrations are greater than 30 mg/L.

Combining spectral induced polarization with X-ray tomography to investigate the importance of DNAPL geometry in sand samples

Although many studies have been performed to investigate the spectral induced polarization (SIP) response of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL)-contaminated soil samples, there are still many uncertainties in the interpretation of the data. A key issue is that altered pore space geometries due to the presence of a NAPL phase will change the measured IP spectra. However, without any information on the NAPL distribution in the pore space, assumptions are necessary for the SIP data interpretation. Therefore, experimental data of SIP signals directly associated with different NAPL distributions are needed. We used high-resolution X-ray tomography and 3D image processing to quantitatively assess NAPL distributions in samples of fine-grained sand containing different concentrations of tetrachloroethylene and link this to SIP measurements on the same samples. The total concentration of the sample constituents as well as the volumes of the individual NAPL blobs were calculated and used for the interpretation of the associated SIP responses. The X-ray tomography and image analysis showed that the real sample properties (porosity and NAPL distributions) differed from the targeted ones. Both contaminated samples contained less NAPL than expected from the manual sample preparation. The SIP results showed higher real conductivity and lower imaginary conductivity in the contaminated samples compared to a clean sample. This is interpreted as an effect of increased surface conductivity along interconnected NAPL blobs and decreased surface areas in the samples due to NAPL blobs larger than and enclosing grains. We conclude that the combination of SIP, X-ray tomography, and image analysis is a very promising approach to achieve a better understanding of the measured SIP responses of NAPL-contaminated samples.

Survival, metabolic rates and locomotory activities of a groundwater-obligate copepod species under long-term exposures to tetrachloroethylene

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to potentially cause a severe change in the respiratory metabolism of freshwater species, however the effect of these contaminants on groundwater-obligate species has not been investigated to date. Tetrachloroethylene (TCE) is a VOC frequently found in the groundwater bodies of industrialized areas, even years after a contamination event because TCE degradation takes several decades to occur. Contamination from TCE is considered persistent and difficult to remediate. Its high density favors a gravity-driven vertical infiltration into groundwater bodies. The TCE threshold value is 1.1 μg/L in groundwater bodies of Italy. TCE concentration in many Italian groundwater bodies is widely over this legal limit. In this study, we investigated the effect of 1.1 μg/L TCE on the survival, oxygen consumption, and locomotory activities of a groundwater-obligate copepod species. The specimens required for the trials were collected in the Antro del Corchia Cave (Tuscany). We measured the individual-based oxygen consumption of this species as a proxy of possible metabolic reactions to long-term (5 days) exposures to TCE at 8.0°C that is the mean annual temperature of groundwater flowing in the cave. To this end, we used a sealed glass microplate equipped with 24-planar oxygen sensor spots with optical isolation glued onto the bottom of 80-μL wells (Loligo Systems, Denmark) integrated with a 24-channel fluorescence-based respirometry system (SDR Sensor Dish Reader, PreSens, Germany). The system allows simultaneous measurement of 20 replicates and 4 controls. Survival and locomotory activity assessments were performed by counting the number of alive individuals and measuring the number of moving animals in 5 mL glass vials each containing 20 individuals. Preliminary results showed a decreasing in oxygen consumption of the organisms exposed to 1.1 μg/L TCE for 5 days at 8°C respect to the control. However, neither survival nor locomotory activities appeared to have been affected by exposure to TCE. See Suppl. material 1.

Effect of Coupling Zero-Valent Iron Side Filters on the Performance of Bioreactors Fed with a High Concentration of Perchloroethylene

AbstractThe objectives of this work were first to evaluate the effect of coupling a zero-valent side filter to anaerobic fluidized bed bioreactors (HFBB) versus bioreactors without the zero-valent filter, also called methanogenic fluidized bed bioreactors (MFBB); and second to study the diversity of the microbial community in both types of bioreactors. At the end of operation (in the last 75 d), the HFBB reached a 95% removal of the incoming tetrachloroethylene, whereas the MFBBs without filter achieved a removal of 88%. Genera such as Dehalobacter spp., Desulfurospirillum spp., Desulfitobacterium spp., and Dehalococcoides spp., and Methanosarcina were found at the end of the treatment. Coupling zero-valent filters to bioreactors (HFBB) fed with high tetrachloroethylene concentration improved reactor performance [high tetrachloroethylene removal and reduction of concentrations of vinyl chloride (VC) and dichlorethylene (DCE)]. This performance was consistent with significant higher concentrations of dehal...

Reconstructing Historical VOC Concentrations in Drinking Water for Epidemiological Studies at a U.S. Military Base: Summary of Results.

A U.S. government health agency conducted epidemiological studies to evaluate whether exposures to drinking water contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOC) at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were associated with increased health risks to children and adults. These health studies required knowledge of contaminant concentrations in drinking water—at monthly intervals—delivered to family housing, barracks, and other facilities within the study area. Because concentration data were limited or unavailable during much of the period of contamination (1950s–1985), the historical reconstruction process was used to quantify estimates of monthly mean contaminant-specific concentrations. This paper integrates many efforts, reports, and papers into a synthesis of the overall approach to, and results from, a drinking-water historical reconstruction study. Results show that at the Tarawa Terrace water treatment plant (WTP) reconstructed (simulated) tetrachloroethylene (PCE) concentrations reached a maximum monthly average value of 183 micrograms per liter (μg/L) compared to a one-time maximum measured value of 215 μg/L and exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s current maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 5 μg/L during the period November 1957–February 1987. At the Hadnot Point WTP, reconstructed trichloroethylene (TCE) concentrations reached a maximum monthly average value of 783 μg/L compared to a one-time maximum measured value of 1400 μg/L during the period August 1953–December 1984. The Hadnot Point WTP also provided contaminated drinking water to the Holcomb Boulevard housing area continuously prior to June 1972, when the Holcomb Boulevard WTP came on line (maximum reconstructed TCE concentration of 32 μg/L) and intermittently during the period June 1972–February 1985 (maximum reconstructed TCE concentration of 66 μg/L). Applying the historical reconstruction process to quantify contaminant-specific monthly drinking-water concentrations is advantageous for epidemiological studies when compared to using the classical exposed versus unexposed approach.

Characteristics and influencing factors of tetrachloroethylene sorption-desorption on soil and its components.

To investigate the effects of soil structure, soil organic carbon (SOC), minerals, initial tetrachloroethylene (PCE) concentration (C0), and ionic strength (Ci) on PCE sorption-desorption, six types of soil were adopted as adsorbents, including two types of natural soil and four types of soil with most of the "soft carbon" pre-treated by H2O2 or with all SOC removed from the original soil by 600 °C ignition. The results showed that all of the sorption-desorption isotherms of PCE were non-linear within the experimental range, and the H2O2-treated samples exhibited higher non-linear sorption isotherms than those of the original soils. The hysteresis index of PCE sorption to original soil is less pronounced than that of the H2O2-treated and 600 °C-heated samples due to the entrapment of sorbate molecules in the "hard carbon" domain, together with the meso- and microporous structures within the 600 °C-heated samples. Both SOC and minerals have impacts on the sorption-desorption of PCE, and the sorption-desorption contribution rate of minerals increased with decreasing SOC content. C0 has almost no influence on the sorption to minerals of the soils, but the contribution rate of minerals decreased with increasing C0 in the desorption stage. As a result of the salting-out effect, PCE sorption capacity was increased by increasing Ci, especially when Ci ≥ 0.1 M. Moreover, desorption increased and hysteresis weakened with increasing Ci, except for the 600 °C-heated samples. In addition, no significant effect of Ci on desorption of PCE and no hysteresis was observed in this experimental range for the 600 °C-heated samples.

Short Duration Needle Trap Sampling with Gas Chromatography Analysis to Determine Nearly Instantaneous Concentrations of Selected Organic Vapor Contaminants

Needle trap device samplers were used for rapid (60 s) quantitative sampling of short-term exposure limit (STEL) and peak exposure standard concentrations using a manually operated pump to collect small volume (10 mL) gas phase samples containing methylene chloride, benzene, toluene, and tetrachloroethylene vapors. Solventless introduction of chemical samples for gas chromatography analysis with flame ionization detection yielded linear results (R2 > 0.99) for vapor standard mixtures of the four target analytes ranging from 10% to 200% of their respective nominal STEL or peak exposure standard concentrations. Needle trap samplers showed ≥86% recovery (as GC-FID peak area responses) following 14-day storage at room temperature compared to the same samplers analyzed immediately, with better recovery values observed with shorter storage (≥95% at room temperature for seven days, except for methylene chloride) or with storage at 4°C. Calibration for quantitation of concentrations of benzene, toluene, and tetrachloroethylene was shown to be possible with the use of an internal standard to account for injector discrimination between the solventless NTD approach and injections of target analytes in carbon disulfide. Due to the simple sampling method (no field calibration and battery-free pumping) and the avoidance of solvent dilution, a needle trap sampling approach could simplify sample collection and analysis to chromatographically determine nearly instantaneous (1 min) exposure concentrations.

In planta passive sampling devices for assessing subsurface chlorinated solvents

Contaminant concentrations in trees have been used to delineate groundwater contaminant plumes (i.e., phytoscreening); however, variability in tree composition hinders accurate measurement of contaminant concentrations in planta, particularly for long-term monitoring. This study investigated in planta passive sampling devices (PSDs), termed solid phase samplers (SPSs) to be used as a surrogate tree core. Characteristics studied for five materials included material-air partitioning coefficients (Kma) for chlorinated solvents, sampler equilibration time and field suitability. The materials investigated were polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM) and plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Both PDMS and LLDPE samplers demonstrated high partitioning coefficients and diffusivities and were further tested in greenhouse experiments and field trials. While most of the materials could be used for passive sampling, the PDMS SPSs performed best as an in planta sampler. Such a sampler was able to accurately measure trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) concentrations while simultaneously incorporating simple operation and minimal impact to the surrounding property and environment.

Spatiotemporal variability of tetrachloroethylene in residential indoor air due to vapor intrusion: a longitudinal, community-based study

The migration of volatile contaminants from groundwater and soil into indoor air is a potential health threat at thousands of contaminated sites across the country. This phenomenon, known as vapor intrusion, is characterized by spatial and temporal heterogeneity. This study examined short-term fluctuations in concentrations of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in the indoor air of residential homes due to vapor intrusion in a community in San Antonio, Texas, that sits atop an extensive, shallow plume of contaminated groundwater. Using a community-based design, we removed potential indoor sources of PCE and then collected twelve 3-day passive indoor air samples in each of the 20 homes. Results demonstrated a one-order-of-magnitude variability in concentration across both space and time among the study homes, although all measured concentrations were below risk-based screening levels. We found that within any given home, indoor concentrations increase with the magnitude of the barometric pressure drop (P=0.048) and humidity (P<0.001), while concentrations decrease as wind speed increases (P<0.001) and also during winter (P=0.001). In a second analysis to examine sources of spatial variability, we found that indoor air PCE concentrations between homes increase with groundwater concentration (P=0.030) and a slab-on-grade (as compared with a crawl space) foundation (P=0.028), whereas concentrations decrease in homes without air conditioners (P=0.015). This study offers insights into the drivers of temporal and spatial variability in vapor intrusion that can inform decisions regarding monitoring and exposure assessment at affected sites.

A Methodology to Estimate Canadians’ Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene in Outdoor Air Using Industrial and Micro-Emitter Databases

Background and Aims: As part of Carex Canada, we developed a methodology for estimating tetrachloroethylene (PERC) concentrations in outdoor air at approximately 478,000 street block centroids in C...

The effect of low concentrations of tetrachloroethylene on H2 adsorption and activation on Pt in a fuel cell catalyst

The poisoning effect of tetrachloroethylene (TTCE) on the activity of a Pt fuel cell catalyst for the adsorption and activation of H2 was investigated at 60°C and 2atm using hydrogen surface concentration measurements. The impurity was chosen as a model compound for chlorinated cleaning and degreasing agents that may be introduced into a fuel cell as a contaminant at a fueling station and/or during vehicle maintenance. In the presence of only H2, introduction of up to 540ppm TTCE in H2 to Pt/C resulted in a reduction of available Pt surface atoms (measured by H2 uptake) by ca. 30%, which was not enough to shift the H2–D2 exchange reaction away from being equilibrium limited. Exposure of TTCE to Pt/C in a mixed redox environment (hydrogen+oxygen), similar to that at the cathode of a fuel cell, resulted in a much more significant loss of Pt surface atom availability, suggesting a role in TTCE decomposition and/or Cl poisoning. Regeneration of catalyst activity of poisoned Pt/C showed the highest level of recovery when regenerated in only H2, with much less recovery in H2+O2 or O2. The results from this study are in good agreement with those found in a fuel cell study by Martínez-Rodríguez et al. [2] and confirm that the majority of the poisoning from TTCE on fuel cell performance is most likely at the cathode, rather than the anode.

The Effect of Low Concentrations of Tetrachloroethylene on the Performance of PEM Fuel Cells

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells use components that are susceptible to contaminants in the fuel stream. To ensure fuel quality, standards are being set to regulate the amount of impurities allowable in fuel. The present study investigates the effect of chlorinated impurities on fuel cell systems using tetrachloroethylene (PCE) as a model compound for cleaning and degreasing agents. Concentrations between 0.05 parts per million (ppm) and 30 ppm were studied. We show how PCE causes rapid drop in cell performances for all concentrations including 0.05 ppm. At concentrations of 1 and 0.05 ppm, PCE poisoned the cell at a rate dependent on the dosage of the contaminant delivered to the cell. PCE appears to affect the cell when the cell potential was over potentials higher than approximately 0.2 V. No effects were observed at voltages around or below 0.2 V and the cells could be recovered from previous poisoning performed at higher potentials. Recoveries at those low voltages could be induced by changing the operating voltage or by purging the system. Poisoning did not appear to affect the membrane conductivity. Measurements with long-path length IR results suggested catalytic decomposition of the PCE by hydrogen over the anode catalyst.

Kinetics of dissolution of sulfur in tetrachloroethylene

The kinetic regularities of the dissolution of sulfur in tetrachloroethylene (TCE), which depend on the temperature, hydrodynamic conditions, and TCE concentration, are presented. Using the rotating disc method, it is revealed that this process occurs in a mixed mode; its diffusion and kinetic components are revealed. The reaction order of the kinetic component of the dissolution rate of sulfur by TCE is 1.5, while the experimental activation energy of the process is 39.2 ± 2.0 kJ/mol. The activation energy of the diffusion component of the convective mass transfer during the dissolution of sulfur in TCE is 28.0 ± 2 kJ/mol.

Health risk assessment of exposure to selected volatile organic compounds emitted from an integrated iron and steel plant

Workplace air samples from sintering, cokemaking, and hot and cold forming processes in the integrated iron and steel industry were analyzed to determine their volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration. Sixteen VOC species including three paraffins (cyclohexane, n-hexane, methylcyclohexane), five chlorinated VOC species (trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene, chlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene), and eight aromatics (benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, toluene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) were selected to measure their noncancer risk for workers. Concentrations of toluene, xylene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, dichlorobenzene, and trichloroethylene were high in all four processes. Carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene concentrations were high in the hot and cold forming processes. The noncancer risk followed the increasing order: cokemaking > sintering > hot forming > cold forming. 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene contributed 44% to 65% and 13% to 20% of noncancer risk, respectively, for the four processes. Benzene accounted for a high portion of the noncancer risk in cokemaking. The hazard index (HI: 17–108) of the average VOC concentrations suggests that health risks can be reduced by improving workplace air quality and protecting workers.

Dechlorination of High Concentrations of Tetrachloroethylene Using a Fixed-bed Reactor

We evaluated the properties of a fixed-bed column reactor for high-concentration tetrachloroethylene (PCE) removal. The anaerobic bacterium Clostridium bifermentans DPH-1 was able to dechlorinate PCE to cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cDCE) via trichloroethylene (TCE) at high rates in the monoculture biofilm of an upflow fixed-bed column reactor. The first-order reaction rate of C. bifermentans DPH-1 was relatively high at <TEX>$0.006\;mg\;protein^{-1}{\cdot}l{\cdot}h^{-1}$</TEX>, and comparable to rates obtained by others. When we gradually raised the influent PCE concentration from <TEX>$30\;{\mu}M$</TEX> to <TEX>$905\;{\mu}M$</TEX>, the degree of PCE dechlorination rose to over 99% during the operation period of 2,000 h. In order to maintain efficiency of transformation of PCE in this reactor system, more than 6 h hydraulic retention time (HRT) is required. The maximum volumetric dechlorination rate of PCE was determined to be <TEX>$1,100\;{\mu}mol{\cdot}d^{-1}l$</TEX> of reactor <TEX>$volume^{-1}$</TEX>, which is relatively high compared to rates reported previously. The results of this study indicate that the PCE removal performance of this fixed-bed reactor immobilized mono-culture is comparable to that of a fixed-bed reactor mixture culture system. Furthermore, our system has the major advantage of a rapid (5 days) start-up time for the reactor. The flow characteristics of this reactor are intermediate between those of the plug-flow and complete-mix systems. Biotransformation of PCE into innocuous compounds is desirable; however, unfortunately cDCE, which is itself toxic, was the main product of PCE dechlorination in this reactor system. In order to establish a system for complete detoxification of PCE, co-immobilization of C. bifermentans DPH-1 with other bacteria that degrade cDCE aerobically or anaerobically to ethene or ethane may be effective.

Inhalation risk assessment of exposure to the selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the facilities of a steel plant

Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were investigated in the workplace air of four processes: sintering, cokemaking, hot forming, and cold forming in an integrated iron and steel plant. In addition, the cancer risk was measured for workers in these 4 processes. Seven VOCs (chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, benzene, and ethylbenzene) were selected for cancer risk measurement. Trichloroethylene concentrations are high in the 4 processes, and carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene concentrations are high in both the cold and hot forming processes. The sequence of the total cancer risk of the 7 species was as follows: cokemaking > sintering > cold forming ≅ hot forming. About 66–93% of the cancer risk of the four processes was caused by trichloroethylene. The cancer risks (3.7 × 10−3–30 × 10−3) of the average VOC concentrations suggest that improvement of workplace air quality and protection of workers are necessary to reduce cancer risks.