Characterization of dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the atmosphere of different workplaces of a sinter plant

This study investigated concentrations, contents and congener profiles of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the workplaces of a sintering plant. Air samples were collected from the charging zone, the sintering zones of the sintering grate and the rough roll shredder, and the control room. The charging zone was found to have a higher total suspended particulate (TSP) but lower PCDD/F concentrations (= 4969 μg nm− 3 and 7.61 pg nm− 3, respectively) than the sintering zone (= 1422–1448 μg nm− 3 and 19.16–23.17 pg nm− 3, respectively). The TSP and PCDD/F concentrations were lowest in the control room (= 98 μg nm− 3 and 1.75 pg nm− 3, respectively). However, the above concentrations were within the range of a typical urban-industrial area. Quite similar PCDD/F contents were found in particles in the sintering zones and control room (= 11.72–14.30 and 15.85 ng g− 1, respectively) suggesting that the sintering zone and the control room are very similar. In both charging and sintering zones, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF contributed 40–60% to the total I-TEQ in both the gas phase and particle phase. However, in control room, both congeners 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 2,3,7,8-TCDD were the main contributors; the later contributed 30% of the total I-TEQ in gas phase. In control room, the contribution of 2,3,7,8-TCDD to the total PCDD/F concentration in the gas phase greatly exceeded that in particle phase (= 5.5% and 0.8%, respectively). Therefore, solutions must be sought to avoid the transfer of not only the particle-phase but also the gas-phase PCDD/Fs from the sintering zone to the control room in the future.