Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in solid residues from waste incineration

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in solid residues from waste incineration Original Research Article Pages 743-749 A. D. Wheatley, S. Sadhra Close Close preview | Purchase PDF (256 K) | Related articles | Related reference work articles AbstractAbstract | Figures/TablesFigures/Tables | ReferencesReferences Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) levels in solid residues from clinical waste incineration were measured using HPLC with fluorescence detection. PAH mass emission rates and emission rates as a function of waste burned are also reported. For bottom ash, PAH levels and physical properties were found to be quite consistent. Levels of high molecular mass PAHs were comparable to levels previously reported in the literature when adjusted for differences in sample preparation techniques. However, levels of low molecular mass PAHs were considerably elevated in this study. Possible reasons for this finding include the composition of the waste, combustion conditions and methods of sample preparation. In contrast, no PAHs were found in fly ash, an unexpected finding which is probably attributable to matrix effects resulting from a surfeit of lime in the fly ash. Factors effecting the partitioning of PAHs and their environmental fate are also discussed. Article Outline 1. Introduction 2. Methods and materials 2.1. Study site 2.2. Sample collection and preparation 2.3. Clean-up and analysis 3. Results 4. Discussion 4.1. Clinical and municipal waste 4.2. Partitioning of PAHs in solid residues and fly ash 4.3. PAHs in CWI fly ash 4.4. Environmental fate of PAHs in solid residues Acknowledgements References