Characterization and quantification of unintentional POP emissions from primary and secondary copper metallurgical processes in China

Field monitoring was conducted to update and develop unintentional persistent organic pollutant (unintentional POP) emission inventories for the copper metallurgy industry in China. In this study, emissions of six unintentional POPs comprised of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/PCDF), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), hexachlorobenzene (HxCBz) and pentachlorobenzene (PeCBz) in stack gas and fly ash samples from primary and secondary copper smelters using different raw materials and technologies were measured and compared. Different concentrations, congener patterns and emission factors of unintentional POPs among four copper smelters were observed. Variations in unintentional POP emissions from several areas of a primary copper smelter were also investigated. The total emissions of unintentional POPs from primary and secondary copper production in 2010 in China were estimated respectively. These results provide a useful reference for the establishment of unintentional POP emission inventories and for policymakers to formulate control strategies to reduce unintentional POPs resulting from copper metallurgy.

► Emission factors of unintentional POPs from copper metallurgy were determined.
► Emission levels and variations of unintentional POPs were measured and compared.
► Unintentional POP congener patterns in stack gas and fly ash samples are presented.
► The raw material used was a key factor for unintentional POP emissions.
► Copper metallurgy is an important emission source of unintentional POPs.