Background Waste incineration power generation is a main municipal waste disposal method, but it also releases dioxins into the air, which can directly enter respiratory system and produce adverse health effects.
Objective Passive sampling technique is used to obtain the concentration, pollution characteristics, and seasonal changes of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) in the atmosphere around a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) in Shanghai, and to assess the exposure levels of PCDD/Fs in surrounding population.
Methods The atmospheric samples were collected every month in 2017 using passive sampling technique from two sampling sites, 950 m (northwest, site A) and 700 m (southeast, site B) downwind of the MSWI in Shanghai. Seventeen kinds of 2, 3, 7, 8 substituted PCDD/Fs in the atmosphere were analyzed to compare the seasonal variation and composition characteristics of the homologues. Principal component analysis was applied for source identification of PCDD/fs in the ambient atmosphere around the MWSI. According to the atmospheric concentration data, the PCDD/Fs inhalation exposure levels of the surrounding population were calculated.
Results The mean concentrations (ranges) of PCDD/Fs in the atmosphere around the MSWI in Shanghai were 1.23 (0.378-2.49) pg/m3 (Site A) and 1.37 (0.487-3.36) pg/m3 (Site B), respectively; the toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) concentration ranges (means) were 30.9-195 (113) fg WHO-TEQ/m3 (Site A) and 43.2-409 (119) fg WHO-TEQ/m3 (Site B), respectively. The results of source identification showed that the main sources of PCDD/Fs in the atmosphere of the study area were waste incineration and traffic pollution. The PCDD/Fs inhalation exposure level for surrounding adults was in the range of 9.16-39.1 fg WHO-TEQ/(kg·d), and the level for surrounding children was in the range of 18.5-79.0 fg WHO-TEQ/(kg·d).
Conclusion The concentration of PCDD/Fs in atmosphere (passive sampling) around the MSWI in Shanghai is slightly higher than that (passive sampling) in the background area of Shanghai. PCDD/Fs in the atmosphere of the study area are probably released from waste incineration and traffic pollution. The PCDD/Fs inhalation exposure levels for surrounding adults and children are all below 10% of the acceptable daily intake amount.
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