Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from MSW incinerator fly ash

The qualitative analysis of moderately polar organic compounds in fly ash from a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) was carried out by GC/MS. NINETY SEVEN oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs), including known toxic substances were detected. They were classified into five groups by their structures. Aldehydes and most ketones detected had already been reported as oxy-PAHs in fly ash; however, most quinones and pyrones and all dicarboxylic acid anhydrides were found for the first time.