Formation of PCDDs, PCDFs, and Coplanar PCBs from Polyvinyl Chloride during Combustion in an Incinerator

Abstract

Exhaust gases from the combustion of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and theirvarious mixtureswere analyzed for PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in order to investigate the role of PVC in these chlorinated compounds. Total amounts of dioxins (PCDDs + PCDFs) found in the samples were 11.7 ng/g PE alone, 1.17 ng/g from PS alone, 25.3 ng/g from PET alone, 448 ng/g from PE with PVC, 140 ng/g from PS with PVC, 126 ng/g from PET with PVC, 824 ng/g from PVC alone under low-CO level, and 8,920 ng/g from PVC alone under high-CO level. CO level in high-CO level condition was 880 ppm which was 20 times greater than that in low-CO level condition. Formation of coplanar PCBs ranged from 0.095 ng/g (PE alone) to 77 ng/g (PVC alone under high-CO level). There is a clear correlation between dioxin formation and chloride content. PCDFs composed 80% (PET + PVC)--98% (PET alone) of the total dioxins formed in the exhaust gases. The results indicate that PVC contributes significantly to the formation of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs from mixtures of plastics upon combustion.

Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends

“…However, energy recovery does not reduce the demand for raw material used in plastic production, hence it is considered less energy efficient than product recovery via recycling (WRAP 2006;Defra 2007). In addition, concerns about emissions from incinerators (Katami et al 2002) can reduce the appeal of this waste disposal option. There is now strong evidence to indicate significant potential lies in increasing our ability to effectively recycle end-of-life plastic products (WRAP 2006(WRAP , 2008Defra 2007; fig 1c).…”

Environmental Impacts of Hydrogen Production by Hydrothermal Gasification of a Real Biowaste

“…Some 419 types of dioxin-related compounds have been identified but only about 30 of these are considered to have significant toxicity, in which TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo para dioxin) is the most toxic [32]. The formation mechanisms for them are not yet completely understood because of their complex production mechanisms [33]. Dioxins do have a damaging effect on human health and the environment [32,34], and 30 dioxins are known to have significant toxicity [32].…”

A Review of Illuminating Pyrotechnics

“…In addition to the removal of heavy metal barium, another advantage of the B 4 C technology is the removal of chlorinated organic compounds from the formulation. There is some concern that the use of chlorinated organic compounds (such as PVC) in pyrotechnic compositions leads to the formation of hazardous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) [35][36][37]. However, there is conflicting evidence as to whether the combustion of chlorine-containing pyrotechnics leads to these toxic chemicals being produced in harmful amounts.…”