Formation of Dioxins during the Combustion of Newspapers in the Presence of Sodium Chloride and Poly(vinyl chloride)

Abstract

Exhaust gases from the combustion of newspaper alone, from branches of London plane tree alone, and from newspapers mixed with sodium chloride (NaCl), polyethylene, or poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were collected. The samples were analyzed for dioxins by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Total amounts of dioxins found in the samples were 0.186 ng/g from newspapers alone, 1.42 ng/g from the branches of London plane, 102 ng/g from newspapers impregnated with sodium chloride (CI wt % = 3.1), 101 ng/g from newspapers impregnated with sodium chloride mixed with PVC (Cl wt % = 2.6), and 146 ng/g from newspapers mixed with PVC (Cl wt % = 5.1). Samples with a higher chloride content produced more dioxins, and there is a clear correlation between dioxin formation and chloride content. The amount of dioxins formed in the samples according to the number of chlorides was Cl5 > Cl4 > Cl6 > Cl7 > Cl8 in PCDD isomers and Cl4 > Cl5 > Cl6 > Cl7 > Cl8 in PCDF isomers, except in the case of newspapers alone. Benzofurans composed 78-92% of the total dioxins formed in the exhaust gases. The higher the number of the chlorides, the lower the production of benzofuran observed. NaCl vaporized at the temperature of the flame used for combustion of the samples (760-1080 degrees C). The results indicate that NaCl and PVC contribute significantly to dioxin formation from waste materials combusted in incinerators.

Comparison of Compositions of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and Dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in Air and Soil Samples Collected in Ishikawa

“…The DF-A10 series consisted of 23 native and 25 13 C-labelled polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DFs), including 17 2,3,7,8-chlorine-substituted isomers. The PCB-A10 series consisted of 14 native and 18 13 C-labelled polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), including 12 coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (co-PCB) isomers. These two solutions were used to make working curves for determining 17 2,3,7,8-chlorine-substituted PCDD/DFs and 12 co-PCBs.…”

Chronic diseases and early exposure to airborne mixtures: Part III. Potential origin of pre-menopausal breast cancers

“…Chloride is a common contaminant in fuels and its presence in the flame with organic matter is a necessary and sufficient condition to form dioxin congeners downwind of a source (Pandompatam et al, 1997;Fleischer et al, 1999;Mihaltz et al, 2000;Yasuhara et al, 2001). Dioxin congeners, as a by-product of combustion, are reported from the use of wood/bark, coal or heavy oil as fuel in external boilers (US-EPA, 1998).…”

Peer Reviewed: Applying the Principles of Green Engineering to Cradle-to-Cradle Design

“…PVC is a cheap, durable material widely used in building construction and various consumer products, including toys, apparel, and sporting goods. The vinyl chloride monomer used to make PVC is a chemical of concern due to its potential carcinogenicity, and incineration of PVC has been reported to result in dioxin emissions (25). There are also issues about the health effects of many additives commonly used in PVC (26).…”