Determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-furans in solid residues from wood combustion by HRGC/HRMS

PCDD/PCDF were determined in solid samples from wood combustion. The sample s included grate ashes, bottom ashes, furnace ashes as well as fly and cycl one ashes. The solid waste samples were classified into bottom and fly ash from native wood and bottom and fly ash from waste wood. For each of the fo ur classes concentration distribution patterns from individual congeners, t he sums of PCDD/PCDF and the international toxicity equivalents (I-TEQ) val ues are given. The I-TEQ levels of fly ash from waste wood burning can be a pproximately up to two thousand times higher than the values from fly ashes of natural wood. The I-TEQ levels in bottom ashes from waste wood combusti on systems are as low as the corresponding ashes from the combustion of nat ive wood. Grate ash Samples from waste wood combustion systems with low car bon burnout show high levels of PCDD/PCDF. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.