Author/Authors :
K H Saitta، Erin نويسنده 1Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816-2366, USA , , J Gittings، Michael نويسنده John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 899 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, USA , , Clausen، Christian A. نويسنده , , Quinn، Jacqueline نويسنده National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899, USA , , L Yestrebsky، Cherie نويسنده 1Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816-2366, USA ,
Abstract :
Background: Paint laden with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) often acts as a point source for environmental
contamination. It is advantageous to address contaminated paint before the PCBs transport to surrounding media;
however, current disposal methods of painted material introduce a variety of complications. Previous work
demonstrates that PCBs can be broken down at ambient temperatures and pressures through a degradation
process involving magnesium metal and acidified ethanol. This report is an extension of that work by describing
the development of a delivery system for said reaction in preparation for a field test. Two treatment options
including the Activated Metal Treatment System (AMTS) and the Non-Metal Treatment System (NMTS) remove and
degrade PCBs from painted surfaces.
Findings: AMTS decreased the Aroclor® concentration of a solution by more than 97% within 120 minutes and the
Aroclor® concentration of industrial paint chips by up to 98% over three weeks. After removing up to 76% of PCBs
on a painted surface after seven days, NMTS also removed trace amounts of PCBs in the paint’s concrete substrate.
The evaporation rate of the solvent (ethanol) from the treatment system was reduced when the application area
was increased. The solvent system’s ability to remove more than 90% of PCBs was maintained after losing 36% of
its mass to solvent evaporation.
Conclusions: The delivery systems, AMTS and NMTS, are able to support the hydrodechlorination reaction
necessary for PCB degradation and are therefore attractive options for further studies regarding the remediation of
contaminated painted surfaces.
