Particle size distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the ambient air of an electric-arc furnace-dust treatment plant

Kuei Min Yu, Yee Lin Wu, Kenneth Fang, Mark Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Atmospheric particle size distributions of 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) between 0.166 and 100μm in aerodynamic diameter (Dp) were measured at two sampling sites. The two sites (OR and SG) were approximately 100m from the fugitive emission areas inside an electric-arc furnace-dust treatment plant (hereinafter to referred as the TSU plant) and were 6.5 and 1.5m above ground level, respectively. Size-segregated atmospheric particles were collected through means of a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) and a Noll rotary impactor (NRI) when the sampling sites were downwind (April, 2007) and upwind (May, 2007) from the fugitive emission area of the TSU plant. Experimental results indicate that PCDD/Fs were associated with the full size range of atmospheric particles. For fugitive sources in TSU plant, although less than 49% of total PCDD/Fs and toxic equivalents (TEQs) were found to be associated with fine particles, more than 54% of total PCDD/Fs and TEQs were correlated with fine particles from outside-plant emission sources. Particle size distributions of total PCDD/Fs and TEQs were shifted to larger particles with a decreasing altitude. Notably, PCDFs distributed extensively among aerosol size fractions based on their chlorination level during all sampling periods. Overall mass median diameter (MMDo) of total-PCDD/F-TEQs for fugitive areas in the TSU plant were higher than those from outside-plant emission sources.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1713-1723
Number of pages11
JournalEnvironmental Engineering Science
Volume26
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009 Dec 1

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

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