Periodic characterization of alkylnaphthalenes in stack gas and ambient air around a medical waste incinerator
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany
Abstract
Due to the subtle occurrence of environmental polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) pollution from incinerators,
it is seldom considered a significant source of PAH pollution.
However, considering the recent build-up of toxics in
urban air, this may be a serious concern around the incinerator
vicinity due to the potential consequences of PAHs on human
health.Hence, this study determined 11 alkyl-naphthalene contributions
from a hospital waste incinerator (HWI_0) into ambient
air receptor points (HWI_1 to HWI_5) for a 1-year period:
June 2014–May 2015. The HWI_0 and ambient gases
were sampled using filter-sorbent sampling system and polyurethane
foam (PUF) passive samplers, respectively, and all
alkyl-naphthalenes were determined using GC-MS. Results
showed that the source concentrations were in the range of
0–14.0 ng/m3 and generally higher than the receptor points.
The receptor point concentration trends were mainly
HWI_1 > HWI_2 ≥ HWI_3 ≥ HWI_5 ≥ HWI_4.
Multivariate receptor model analysis suggested high correlations
between source and the receptor points though there
might be some significant contributions from other emission
sources. The average monthly concentrations (Σalkyl-naphthalene)
at HWI_0 and the receptors HWI_1, HWI_2, HWI_3,
HWI_4 andHWI_5were 67.4 ± 24.3, 57.9 ± 20.1, 42.8 ± 16.9,
39.7 ± 12.2, 36.5 ± 22.2 and 37.8 ± 15.4 ng/m3, respectively.
Though these concentrations were lower than the estimated
minimal risk level (MRL) for chronic inhalation exposure to
naphthalene and its derivatives 0.003 mg/m3, continuous exposure
to these pollutants might result in chronic effects.
Finally, this study may be used to evaluate the environmental
contribution of alkyl-naphthalenes from typical medical waste
incinerator in Nigeria.
Description
Environment Science Pollution Research
Keywords
Environmental pollution, Alkyl-naphthalene, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Nigeria, Medical, waste, Incinerator