DIOXIN CONTENTS IN FLY ASHES OF MSW INCINERATION IN TAIWAN

Fly ashes from three municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators in Taiwa n were collected and segregated into different fractions for determini ng the physical and chemical properties and dioxin contents. Analysis of ashes with each fraction indicated that fine particles had higher d ioxin contents than large particles. Dioxin homologue components of as hes generated from large-scale mass burn MSW incinerator were less tox ic than that from small-scale batch incinerators, and contained less n on-2,3,7,8 PCDD/Fs. Correlation analysis did not reveal a consistent t rend between dioxins content and ashes' physical properties, while str ong positive correlation was found between dioxins content and chlorid e content. Positive correlation between dioxin content and heavy metal s content such as copper and zinc in the fly ash was also established. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.