Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in air around a coking wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) using sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam disk passive air samplers in 05.27-09.20 of 2010. Comprehensive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was performed to facilitate detailed chemical composition characterization of toxic PAHs. In total, 77 PAH compounds were positively identified in the atmosphere at the sites of primary clarifiers, aeration tanks and secondary clarifiers. The ?PAH concentrations in the air were 2-18 times higher within the WWTP (957 to 11012 ng/m3) compared to the references site (374 to 600 ng/m3). 3 and 4-ring PAHs predominated in all these sites, and these compounds had the characteristics of coal combustion. The estimated lung cancer risks were between 0.4 � 10-3 and 3.7 � 10-3, indicating the PAHs in the air near flotation-degreasing and aerobic tanks would have the potential lung cancer risk for the operating workers.

Coking wastewater treatment plant as sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to the atmosphere

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.