Evaluation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans emission from the combustion of wood chips and leaves

Emission of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from open burning of fallen leaves, grass and wood chips was estimated. Combustion temperature of fallen leaves reached around 500-700 °C in open burning. The amount of PCDD/Fs extracted from bottom ash after open burning was 0.0087 pg-TEQ/g and 0.31 pg-TEQ/g for fallen leaves and grass, respectively. Combustion experiments using small-sized electric furnace indicated that PCDD/Fs emission at 500-750 °C was lower, and reached 0.052 ng-TEQ/g and 0.65 ng-TEQ/g for combustion of fallen leaves and co-combustion of wood chips and NaCl at 850 °C, respectively. PCDD/Fs emission from open burning was calculated and resulted in less emission compared to incineration of municipal solid waste.

polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins

polychlorinated dibenzofurans

wood chips

leaves