Identification of toxic PAH compounds in emitted particulates from incineration of urban solid wastes

Typical urban solid wastes, containing plastic components such as PVC, ABS, PE, PP, PS and PPMA, are employed in the investigation of PAH compounds and their respective mutagenicity in the particulates emitted from the laboratory-scale incinerators. Types of incinerator (one or two-stage) and incineration temperature (400-1100°C) are considered as the two major factors for the incineration tests. Results from the incineration tests indicated that the major PAHs in the particulates vary with operating conditions in the laboratory-scale incinerator. The mutagenicity in the emitted particulates was found to be significantly higher when the incineration temperature was controlled between 700 and 900°C.