Aircraft Release of Sulfur Hexafluoride as an Atmospheric Tracer

Abstract

The effect of temperature on polyvinylchloride (PVC) combustion using a downstream tubular furnace was investigated for the formation of polycylcic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chlorinated compounds. As the temperature increased, higher levels of PAHs were generated. Chlorinated compounds reached a peak at 600°C, with low emissions recorded at 300 and 900°C. There was a close correlation (R² = 0.97) among polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene, pentachloroben-zene, and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and poly-chlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). PAHs at all temperatures were analyzed in the gas phase. PCDD/Fs and PCBs were emitted as a solid phase at 300 and 600°C and as a gas phase at 900°C. For some PAHs, chloroben-zenes, and PCDD/Fs, a mathematical equation between the gas and solid phase and the reciprocal temperature in semilog proportion was derived. The proposed equation, which is log (amount in gas phase/amount in solid phase) = ?A/T + B, where T is the temperature of the furnace and A and B are constants, for these species relating their gas/solid distributions showed a good relationship.     

Characteristics of PAHs, PCDD/Fs and PCBs in sediment following forest fires in northern Alberta

Extensive forest fires occurred in northern Alberta, Canada, in 1998. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were studied following these forest fires in order to explore natural and anthropogenic influences on the affected forest fire area. Specifically, concentrations and profiles of these compounds were determined in sediment samples. A predominance of alkylated PAH derivatives over parent PAHs were observed at the burned and reference sites. Naturally dervied PAHs were abundant at all sites. A high proportion and concentration of retene was observed at the totally burned site and indicates some inputs from forest fires. Very low concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were observed at all sites, and the profiles were very similar. This likely reflects common atmospheric contributing sources to the study area.     

Air concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCNs using active and passive air samplers

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were determined in air samples collected at four sampling sites located in two zones of Barcelona (Spain): near a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) and a combined cycle power plant (3 sites), and at a background/control site. Samples were collected using high-volume active samplers. Moreover, 4 PUF passive samplers were deployed at the same sampling points during three months. For PCDD/Fs, total WHO-TEQ values were 27.3 and 10.9 fg WHO-TEQm(-3) at the urban/industrial and the background sites, respectively. The sum of 7 PCB congeners and the Sigma PCN levels were also higher at the industrial site than at the background site. In order to compare active and passive sampling, the accumulated amounts of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCNs in the four passive air samplers, as well as the total toxic equivalents in each sampling site were also determined. To assess the use of PUF passive samplers as a complementary tool for PCDD/F, PCB and PCN monitoring, sampling rates were calculated in accordance with the theory of passive air samplers. PUF disks allowed establishing differences among zones for the POP levels, showing that they can be a suitable method to determine POP concentrations in air in areas with various potential emission sources. Although both particle and gas phase were sorbed by the PUFs, data of gas phase congeners are more reproducible.     

Thermal degradation of PCDD/F, PCB and HCB in municipal solid waste ash

A thermal degradation procedure for reducing the concentrations of mono- to octa-chlorinated PCDD/Fs, PCBs and hexa-chlorobenzenes (HCB) in filter ash from incinerated municipal solid waste (MSW) is described. Thermal treatment of filter ash samples at 500 degrees C for 60 min in a closed system providing low oxygen conditions resulted in 97% and 99% reductions in the total and I-TEQ concentrations of PCDD/Fs, to 6.8 microg kg(-1) ash and <0.05 microg I-TEQ kg(-1) ash, respectively. Increasing the thermal treatment time to 480 min, at the same temperature, yielded 99% reductions in both total and I-TEQ concentrations of the mono- to octa-chlorinated PCDD/Fs. Similar effects were observed for HCB and PCBs. The data from this study indicate that PCDD/Fs and other toxic organic compounds in ash from incinerated MSW, can be effectively degraded by this procedure, which combines relatively low-temperatures, short treatment times, and low oxygen conditions.     

PCBs,PCNs, PCDD/Fs,PAHs and Cl-PAHs in air and water particulate samples--patterns and variations

Methodology for the determination of biologically active polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), non-ortho PCBs, polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was used to investigate concentrations and patterns of certain chlorinated PAH (Cl-PAH) in source related samples using synthetic reference mixtures. Thus, in addition to the above mentioned compounds, mono-heptachlorosubstituted fluorenes, phenanthrenes/anthracenes and pyrenes/fluoranthenes (Cl-PAHs) were measured in vapour and particulate air samples from urban road tunnels, samples of settling particulate matter (SPM), and in bottom sediment samples from two point source locations (pulp and paper, and Mg-plant/Fe-Mn-smelter/chlor-alkali) and in the Baltic Sea. Concentrations in air samples followed: PAHs>PCBs>PCNs>non-ortho PCBs or Cl-PAHs>PCDD/Fs. SPM samples collected at increasing distance to the urban area of Stockholm showed: PAHs>PCBs>PCNs>PCDD/Fs>non-ortho PCBs or Cl-PAHs. For all compound groups there was a tenfold (Cl-PAHs fivefold) concentration decrease in SPM samples from highest levels in the urban water area to lowest levels at a distance of 26 km from city centre. PCB profiles of SPM showed similarities with combined profiles of Aroclor 1242 and 1254. PCN profiles of SPM showed similarities with combined profiles of Halowax 1099 and 1014. A correlation with concentration of all tested Cl-PAH and their corresponding parent PAH was found only for Cl-fluorene.     

The effect of oils on PAH, PCDD, PCDF, and PCB emissions from a spark engine fueled with leaded gasoline

The effect of synthetic and mineral oils on the formation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (PCBs) in emissions from a spark ignition engine was studied on a Skoda Favorit engine fueled with leaded gasoline. The test cycle simulated urban traffic conditions on a chassis dynamometer, in accordance with the ECC 83.00 test. The data for selected PAHs as well as PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs congener profiles are presented. PCDD/Fs emissions for an unused oil and the oil after 10000-km operation varied from 300 to 2000 fmol/m3, PCBs emissions from 75 to 178 pmol/m3, and PAHs emissions from 150 to 420 microg/m3. The content of PCBs in oils varied from 2 to 920 mg/kg.     

Simultaneous monitoring of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in contaminated air with semipermeable membrane devices and fresh spruce needles

The contaminated air with burning plastic floor and electronic scrap was monitored with semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and fresh unpolluted spruce needles at the same time for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It was found that there were more polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) than polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) collected from contaminated air. The total amounts of PCBs were much higher than that of PCDD/Fs, but the contribution of them to the WHO-TEQ was less than that of PCDD/Fs. Triolein-containing SPMDs can absorb much more PCDD/Fs and PCBs than spruce needles when they were exposed in contaminated air simultaneously. The logarithm of the concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in SPMDs and in spruce needles at the same sampling time exhibited a significant linear correlation, the correlation coefficients were larger than 0.86 for PCDD/Fs and 0.92 for PCBs. SPMDs and spruce needles are effective passive air sampler for PCDD/Fs and PCBs. SPMDs and spruce needles can complement each other in passive air sampling.     

Removal of dioxins and related aromatic hydrocarbons from flue gas streams by adsorption and catalytic destruction

The dioxin removing capacity of the shell dedioxin system (SDDS-a Ti/V oxidative type catalyst) has been tested using the Ume? lab-scale incinerator over the temperature range 100-230 degrees C and at space velocities of 8000 and 40,000 h(-1). Other analogous organic compounds, such as PCBs, PAHs, chlorobenzenes and chlorophenols have also been investigated. Results show a high degree of dioxin removal already at 100 degrees C (82%), which occurs mainly by adsorption. When the temperature is raised a transition towards destruction is seen and at 150 degrees C, gas hour space velocity (GHSV) 8000 and at 230 degrees C, GHSV 40,000 virtually all removal is by destruction. High PCDD/F destruction efficiencies are reported (> 99.9%, based on I-TEQ); the other dioxin-related species and PAHs are also removed and destroyed to a significant extent. The SDDS has proved to be an effective means of destroying organic compounds in the gas phase, particularly dioxins, at temperatures as low as 150 degrees C.     

Effect of copper chloride on the emissions of PCDD/Fs and PAHs from PVC combustion

The influences of temperature, air flow and the amount of copper chloride upon the types and amount of the toxic emissions such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during combustion of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were investigated. The mechanism concerning the effect of temperature and copper chloride on the PCDD/Fs and PAHs formation was discussed. The results shown that without copper chloride, trace amounts of PCDD/Fs and large amounts of PAHs were found in the emissions from the pure PVC combustion under various combustion conditions. The addition of copper chloride enhanced PCDD/Fs formation, but it seems that the formation of PAHs decreased with increasing amount of copper chloride, and greater total amount of PAHs were produced at the higher temperature under our experimental conditions.     

Destruction of PCDD/Fs by SCR from flue gases of municipal waste incinerator and metal smelting plant

Partitioning of PCDD/F congeners between vapor/solid phases and removal and destruction efficiencies achieved with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for PCDD/Fs at an existing municipal waste incinerator (MWI) and metal smelting plant (MSP) in Taiwan are evaluated via stack sampling and analysis. The MWI investigated is equipped with electrostatic precipitators (EP, operating temperature: 230 degrees C), wet scrubbers (WS, operating temperature: 70 degrees C) and SCR (operating temperature: 220 degrees C) as major air pollution control devices (APCDs). PCDD/F concentration measured at stack gas of the MWI investigated is 0.728 ng-TEQ/Nm(3). The removal efficiency of WS+SCR system for PCDD/Fs reaches 93% in the MWI investigated. The MSP investigated is equipped with EP (operating temperature: 240 degrees C) and SCR (operating temperature: 290 degrees C) as APCDs. The flue gas sampling results also indicate that PCDD/F concentration treated with SCR is 1.35 ng-TEQ/Nm(3). The SCR system adopted in MSP can remove 52.3% PCDD/Fs from flue gases (SCR operating temperature: 290 degrees C, Gas flow rate: 660 kN m(3)/h). In addition, the distributions of PCDD/F congeners observed in the flue gases of the MWI and MSP investigated are significantly different. This study also indicates that the PCDD/F congeners measured in the flue gases of those two facilities are mostly distributed in vapor phase prior to the SCR system and shift to solid phase (vapor-phase PCDD/Fs are effectively decomposed) after being treated with catalyst. Besides, the results also indicate that with SCR highly chlorinated PCDD/F congeners can be transformed to lowly chlorinated PCDD/F congeners probably by dechlorination, while the removal efficiencies of vapor-phase PCDD/Fs increase with increasing chlorination.     

Monitoring of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, dioxin-like PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food and feed samples from Ismailia city, Egypt

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been determined using GC/HRMS in food (butter, seafood and meat) and feed samples (chicken, cattle and fish) purchased from Ismailia city, Egypt. PCDD/F concentrations in food samples ranged between 0.12 and 3.35 pg WHO TEQ/g wet w, while those in feed samples were between 0.08 and 0.2 pg WHO TEQ/g dry w. Levels of PCB TEQ ranged from 0.14 to 3.2 pg/g wet w in the food samples. The feed samples have an average of 0.35 pg PCB TEQ /g dry w. In this study, butter samples showed the highest contamination levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs. The PCBs contribution to the total TEQ was on average 63% in seafood and on average 49% for meat and butter. The highest contamination levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were found in butter samples. The butter TEQ content is several times higher than that reported in all EU countries and exceeded the EU limits, while the PCDD/F levels in seafood and the feed samples is far below the current EU limit. Generally, congener profiles in the food samples reflect the non-industrialized nature of the city and suggest solid waste burning as a significant source of emission. Nevertheless, the profiles for butter suggest an impact from various sources. In the case of the sum of 16 PAH contamination levels in food samples were in the range of 11.7-154.3 ng/g wet w and feed samples had a range of 116-393 ng/g dry w. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) has been detected in the range of 0.05-3.29 ng/g wet w in the food samples; butter showed the highest contamination which exceeded the EU standard set for fats and oil. Fingerprints of PAHs suggested both petrogenic and pyrolytic sources of contamination.     

PCDD/Fs and PCBs in airborne particulate matter of the greater Thessaloniki area, N. Greece

Particle-bound polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were monitored at two sites in northern Greece for an eight-month period in 1999. PCDD/F concentrations were close to the lower end of reported values worldwide. Excepting a few cases, the PCDD/Fs homologue profile was stable. The gaseous PCDD/F fractions calculated were found to account for a small percentage of the total concentrations (<2% for OCDD/Fs and HpCDD/Fs, while 30-35% for TCDFs). Particle-bound PCBs were also found at low concentrations which, however, were higher at the urban site. Calculations of the dry deposition of particulate PCDD/ Fs and PCBs gave mean values of 0.52 and 0.59 pg I-TEQ/m2/day of PCDD/Fs, while 242 and 74 pg/m2/day of sigmaPCBs for the urban and the semirural areas respectively. An anticorrelation of PCDD/F concentrations with ambient temperature was derived particularly for the lower chlorinated congeners. A weak association with winds of western and southern origin was also observed. Factor analysis and literature source profiles were employed to identify possible emission sources. It was appeared that the PCDD/F compositional pattern of TSP is influenced by mixed sources the most prominent being uncontrolled fires and car exhausts.     

Urea as a PCDD/F inhibitor in municipal waste incineration

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from municipal waste incineration have been widely studied because of their extensive toxicity, and many efforts have been made to restrict their emissions. Although a number of chemical compounds have been shown in laboratory-scale tests to inhibit the formation of PCDD/Fs, few have been tested in pilot- or full-scale plants. This work evaluates the effect of urea as a PCDD/F inhibitor in a pilot-scale incinerator that uses refuse-derived fuel (RDF). The decomposition of urea under the test conditions was also studied using detailed kinetic modeling. An aqueous solution of urea was injected into the flue gas stream after the furnace at approximately 730 degrees C, with varied urea concentrations and flue gas residence times used between the furnace and the sampling point. The results demonstrate that urea can successfully inhibit PCDD/F formation in waste incineration if concentrations and injection points are properly adjusted. The kinetic model showed that urea can be rapidly decomposed under appropriate flue gas conditions, indicating that in addition to the urea molecule itself, decomposition products of urea can also be responsible for the reduction of PCDD/F production during incineration.     

Occurrence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls pollution in sediments from the Haihe River and Dagu Drainage River in Tianjin City, China

The pollution status of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the sediments of Haihe River, which is the most polluted among the seven largest basins in China, Dagu Drainage River flowing through a chemical industry zone, and two other rivers flowing into Bohai Sea in Tianjin City, China were investigated. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the sediments from the mainstream of Haihe River were 1.3-26pgI-TEQg(-1) dry weight (dw) and 0.07-0.54pgTEQg(-1)dw, respectively. Heavy PCDD/Fs and PCBs pollution, with 1264pgI-TEQg(-1)dw and 21pgTEQg(-1)dw, was found in sediment from Dagu Drainage River. The congener profiles of PCDD/Fs indicated that the principal contamination source was the production of pentachlorophenol (PCP) or PCP-Na in this area. The correlation between PCDD/Fs or PCBs and total organic matter (TOM) showed that PCDD/Fs or PCBs were independent on TOM.     

Formation of PCDDs and PCDFs during the combustion of polyvinylidene chloride

In laboratory-scale combustion of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) with a quartz tubular furnace designed and fabricated to provide the desired combustion temperature and mixing state of combustion gas with air, it was found that at 800 degrees C or higher the level of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans [corrected] (PCDDs/PCDFs) resulting from PVDC combustion was no higher than that from heating air alone, and thus far below the levels which resulted from PVDC combustion at 750 degrees C or lower. The results provide the first laboratory confirmation of the relation between PVDC incineration temperature and PCDD/PCDF formation, and of the primary importance of high temperature, turbulence for mixing between air and combustion gas, and sufficient residence time, as governing factors for the minimization of PCDD/PCDF formation in municipal solid waste incinerators.     

Atmospheric pollution by PAHs, PCDD/Fs and PCBs simultaneously collected at a regional background site in central Italy and at an urban site in Rome

Concentrations of PAHs and PCDD/Fs were measured throughout one year, and PCBs during the second semester, at a rural site in a natural park representative of background pollution in central Italy; results were compared with simultaneous measurements performed at an urban site in Rome 60km away. Twenty-four daily samples were collected at each site by a high-volume PM(10) sampler from February 2000 to January 2001. After ultrasonic extraction and clean-up by TLC, samples were analysed by GC-MS. Mean concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, as a marker of carcinogenic PAHs), summation operatorPCDD/Fs and summation operator64 PCBs in Rome were, respectively: 1.1ngm(-3), 65fgWHO-TEQm(-3), 553pgm(-3). The background concentrations were, respectively: 0.016ngm(-3), 3fgWHO-TEQm(-3), and 94pgm(-3). Hence, BaP, and the other PAHs, showed the highest urban-background gradient (two orders of magnitude) and PCBs the lowest. The background pollution levels of BaP and PCDD/Fs were in agreement with the few available background/remote measurements in Europe. In Rome PAHs and PCBs, but not PCDD/Fs, were clearly seasonal; the PCDD/F TEQ was moderately correlated with BaP (P<0.001). At the background site, the seasonality of PAHs was less marked, while it could not be assessed for PCDD/Fs and PCBs. The PCB TEQ accounted for 4% and 15% of total (PCDD/Fs+PCBs) TEQ at the urban and background site, respectively. Mean PM(10) concentration was 54microgm(-3) in Rome and 15microgm(-3) at the background site.     

Catalytic oxidation of gaseous PCDD/Fs with ozone over iron oxide catalysts

Catalytic oxidation of PCDD/Fs (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans) with ozone (catalytic ozonation) over nano-sized iron oxides (denoted as FexOy) was carried out at temperature of 120-180 degrees C. The effects of operating temperature, ozone concentration, space velocity (SV) and water vapor contents on PCDD/F removal and destruction efficiencies via catalytic ozonation were investigated. High activity of the iron oxide catalyst towards PCDD/F decomposition was observed even at low temperatures with the aid of ozone. The PCDD/F removal and destruction efficiencies achieved with FexOy/O3 at 180 degrees C reach 94% and 91%, respectively. In the absence of ozone, the destruction efficiencies of all PCDD/F congeners are below 20% and decrease with increasing chlorination level of PCDD/F congener at lower temperature (120 degrees C). However, in the presence of ozone, the destruction efficiencies of all PCDD/F congeners are over 80% on FexOy/O3 at 180 degrees C. Higher temperature and ozone addition increase the activity of iron oxide for the decomposition of PCDD/Fs. Additionally, in the presence of 5% water vapor, the destruction efficiency of the PCDD/Fs is above 90% even at lower operating temperature (150 degrees C). It indicates that the presence of appropriate amount of water vapor enhances the catalytic activity for the decomposition of gas-phase PCDD/Fs.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, biphenyls, naphthalenes and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the edible fish caught from the Baltic Sea and lakes in Finland

A total of 156 fish composite samples were collected from five areas of the Baltic Sea and from three lakes and analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The European Union's maximum permissible level for PCDD/Fs, 4 pg WHO-TEQ/g fresh weight (fw), was exceeded in salmon, river lamprey and Baltic herring. In other species from the Baltic Sea, the 90th percentile was 3.42 pg WHO(PCDD/F)-TEQ/g fw. In the lake fish, the concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCNs were only 29-46% of those in the same species caught from the Baltic Sea, whereas the concentrations of PBDEs in the lake fish were as high as in the Baltic Sea fish. Dioxin-like PCBs contributed to the total dioxin-like toxicity of PCBs and PCDD/Fs by 49+/-12% in all the analysed samples.     

Concentration of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and dioxin-like PCBs in human adipose tissue from Turkish men

There is no previous report from Turkey on chemically determined polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human tissues expressed as World Health Organization (WHO) toxic equivalents (TEQs). The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of PCDDs/Fs, and dioxin-like PCBs in the general adult Turkish population. For this reason we measured adipose tissue concentrations of PCDDs/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in 23 Turkish men living in Ankara,Turkey in 2004. PCDD/F concentrations ranged between 3.2 and 19.7 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat (5.34 and 42.7 WHO-TEQ/g fat, respectively, including dioxin-like PCBs). The mean concentrations of WHO(PCDD/F)-TEQ and WHO(PCB)-TEQ were 9.2 and 6.67 pg/g on a lipid basis , respectively. Samples were analyzed for PCDD/F and twelve dioxin-like PCB congeners using high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). This study is very important since it is the first report on PCDDs/Fs and dioxin-like PCB contamination in human adipose tissue from Turkey.     

Monitoring PCDD/Fs, PCBs and metals in the ambient air of an industrial area of Catalonia, Spain

In 2005 and 2006, the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl and V) were measured in air samples collected in an industrial area of Sant Adrià del Besòs (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain) where a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) is placed, and in a background/control area. In general terms, concentrations of all environmental pollutants were higher at the industrial site. No significant seasonal/temporal variations were observed in any of the areas. No Pearson correlation was found between the PCDD/F concentrations and the environmental conditions of the two sampling periods considered. Principal component analyses (PCA) were performed to get information on the relationship among samples, pollutants, and emission sources. The results indicate that the MSWI of S. Adrià de Besòs is not a significant emission source of the above compounds for the area under its direct influence. Moreover, a notable difference in the PCDD/F congener profiles was found between ambient air and stack gas emissions, indicating that the current levels of PCDD/Fs are more related to other potential emissions sources rather than to those from the MSWI.