Characteristic of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in fly ash from incinerators in china

Fly ash from municipal solid waste (MSW), medical waste (MW) and electrical power plant (EPP) incinerators were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The study showed that the PCDD/F levels in fly ash were EPP < MSW < MW. The homologue profiles of PCDD/Fs in fly ash produced from waste incinerators were similar. However, the homologue profiles of PCDD/Fs in fly ash from electrostatic precipitator (ESP) of electrical power plant were different from that from waste incinerator. The strong correlation was found between the concentration of 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and the I-TEQ value of fly ash regardless of the different fly ashes sources.     

Human dietary exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in Taiwan

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) levels in a total of 25 food items in Taiwan were surveyed. It was observed that shellfish and saltwater fish possessed the highest PCDD/Fs levels, 9.82 and 3.60 pg WHO-TEQ/g, respectively, on the lipid basis. The dietary intakes of humans at the ages of 12-18, 19-64, and over 65 were determined. The estimated intake were between 21.8 pg (female teenagers) and 37.6 pg (male seniors) WHO-TEQ/day; the levels varied with the dietary habits. The PCDD/F intakes for all human groups are far below the tolerable limit of 70 pg WHO-TEQ/kg b.w./month. In addition, the daily PCDD/F intake levels for duck-farmers consuming average and large amounts of PCDD/F contaminated duck eggs were examined. The result shows that consuming more than one duck egg with level higher than 10 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid of PCDD/Fs per day could lead to a PCDD/F intake level higher than the tolerable limit. However, for normal population, there is a little risk to ingest intolerable amount of PCDD/Fs because of consuming contaminated duck eggs.     

Evaluation of gas-particle partition of dioxins in flue gas I: evaluation of gasification behavior of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in fly ash by thermal treatment

The gasification behavior of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in fly ash by thermal treatment has been investigated to estimate gas-particle partition in flue gas. The results obtained in thermal experiments under various conditions showed that gasification of PCDD/Fs depends on air flow rate and treatment weight of fly ash as well as treatment temperature. On the other hand, the results obtained in the thermal experiments using dioxin-free fly ash revealed that during thermal treatment, the de novo synthesis, gasification, and decomposition of PCDFs proceeded at different rates. This difference in the reaction rates indicates that thermal treatment time is also a factor in determining the gas-particle partition of PCDD/Fs in fly ash. Therefore, reasonable thermal treatment conditions were established and applied to three ash samples. For all samples, PCDD/Fs started to gasify at 350 degrees C treatment, whereas 53-98% of PCDD/F homologs gasified at 400 degrees C treatment, implying that gaseous PCDD/Fs are dominant in flue gas at temperatures in the range 350-400 degrees C regardless of particle concentration.     

Photodegradation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans: direct photolysis and photocatalysis processes

This study employed direct photolysis to treat mixed polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) solutions. The solutions included a synthetic standard 17 2, 3, 7, 8-substituted congeners solution and a practical liquid extracted from the bag filter ash of an electric arc furnace. Additionally, this work utilized a coupled catalyst (ZnO/SnO2) under UV irradiation for photocatalytic degradation of 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8-HxCDD and OCDD. The direct photolysis rate of PCDFs was faster than that of PCDDs. The degradation rate of international toxicity equivalency quantity (I-TEQ) for PCDDs and PCDFs in the synthetic standard solution was 1.369 and 1.472 h(-1), respectively, and that in the ash-extracted solution was 0.061 and 0.117 h(-1), respectively. The rate of photocatalytic degradation declined as the number of chlorine atoms increased. No 2, 3, 7, 8-substituted congeners were identified during photocatalytic degradation; additionally, the photolytic rate of the UV/coupled catalyst was higher than that of UV/single catalyst system. Experimental results suggested that the primary degradation pathway for direct photolysis and photocatalysis of PCDD/Fs was the CCl cleavage and CO cleavage, respectively.     

Thermal treatment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from contaminated soils

Thermal treatment technology was used to remove polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from heavily contaminated soil. For a soil with an original PCDD/F content of 35,970ng International Toxic Equivalents (I-TEQ)/kg, >99.99% PCDD/F removal efficiency was obtained with a primary furnace at two different treatment temperatures (750 degrees C and 850 degrees C), while a secondary furnace at 1200 degrees C gave >98% decomposition efficiency. The total PCDD/F I-TEQ contents in treated soils at 750 degrees C and 850 degrees C were 1.56ngI-TEQ/kg and 2.15ngI-TEQ/kg, respectively, which were far below the soil pollution standard of Taiwan (1000ngI-TEQ/kg soil). Although air pollution control devices had significant effects on the removal of PCDD/Fs, the total I-TEQ concentrations in the upstream flue gas of PUF cartridge at 750 degrees C and 850 degrees C (2.61ngI-TEQ/Nm(3) and 2.38ngI-TEQ/Nm(3), respectively) were still higher than the stationary emission limit of the Taiwan EPA (0.5ngI-TEQ/Nm(3)). The above results also suggested that additional APCDs, such as activated carbon injection in front of the filter are needed to enhance PCDD/F removal efficiency.     

Effect of water on catalyzed de novo formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans

The effect of water vapor on catalyzed de novo formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) was investigated through experiments conducted on a fixed-bed apparatus. The results indicated that water vapor could promote the formation of PCDD and PCDF. The dominant pathway was activating fly ash in this work, while water also reacted with chlorine to change the equilibrium of Deacon reaction, which influenced the final yield of PCDD/PCDF. Also a suppression effect of water on CuCl(2) was found according to the values of the catalysis indicator. It is possible that water reduced the catalysis of CuCl(2) or prevented its direct chlorination. But the overall effect of water on the formation of PCDD and PCDF was promotion rather than inhibition.     

Removal of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans by three coagulants in simulated coagulation processes for drinking water treatment

Surface water from Guangzhou to which standard polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were added was treated by coagulation with ferric chloride (FC), polyaluminium chloride (PAC), and aluminium sulfate (AS) at optimum removal dosages for nature organic matter (NOM) to assess the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) removal efficiencies. PCDD/Fs in suspended particulate matter (SPM) and treated water (TW) after coagulation were analysed. Low residual levels of PCDD/Fs were found in treated water after coagulation: 0.8% for FC, 0.9% for PAC, and 3.1% for AS. The removal efficiency calculated using these results was >99% for FC and PAC and 97-98% for AS. Most PCDD/Fs congeners could be removed by the three coagulation processes; the removal efficiency of FC and PAC was similar, and slightly higher than that of AS. The results also demonstrate that coagulation with FC preferentially removed tetra- and penta-substituted PCDD/Fs from raw water.     

Atmospheric dry deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the vicinity of municipal solid waste incinerators

This study focuses on the atmospheric dry deposition flux of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the vicinity of the two municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) located in southern Taiwan. PCDD/Fs in ambient air were taken and analyzed for seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs during November 2004 and July 2005. Results show that the mean concentrations of PCDD/Fs in the ambient air near MSWI-GS and MSWI-RW were 0.090 and 0.097pg I-TEQ/Nm(3), respectively. Dry deposition fluxes of total PCDD/Fs were 18.0 and 23.5pg I-TEQ/(m(2)d) in the ambient air near MSWI-GS and MSWI-RW, respectively, which were considerably higher than that measured in Guangzhou, China. Annual dry deposition fluxes of total PCDD/Fs in the ambient air near MSWI-GS and MSWI-RW were 189 and 217ng/(m(2)year), respectively, which were also much higher than dry deposition of total PCDD/Fs to the Atlantic Ocean. The results of the present study strongly suggest that exposure to PCDD/Fs in this area should be reduced. In addition, parametric sensitivity shows that dry deposition flux of PCDD/Fs is most sensitive to dry deposition velocity of the particle-phase, followed by air temperature and concentration of total suspended particulate but least sensitive to dry deposition velocity of the gas-phase.     

Assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans contribution from different media to surrounding duck farms

Since the "Toxic Egg Event" broke out in central Taiwan, the possible sources of the high content of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in eggs have been a serious concern. In this study, the PCDD/F contents in different media (feed, soil and ambient air) were measured. Evaluation of the impact from electric arc furnace dust treatment plant (abbreviated as EAFDT plant), which is site-specific to the "Toxic Egg Event", on the duck total-PCDD/F daily intake was conducted by both Industrial Source Complex Short Term model (ISCST) and dry and wet deposition models. After different scenario simulations, the worst case was at farm A and at 200 g feed and 5 g soil for duck intake, and the highest PCDD/F contributions from the feed, original soil and stack flue gas were 44.92, 47.81, and 6.58%, respectively. Considering different uncertainty factors, such as the flow rate variation of stack flue gas and errors from modelling and measurement, the PCDD/F contribution fraction from the stack flue gas of EAFDT plant may increase up to twice as that for the worst case (6.58%) and become 13.2%, which was still much lower than that from the total contribution fraction (86.8%) of both feed and original soil. Fly ashes contained purposely in duck feed by the farmers was a potential major source for the duck daily intake. While the impact from EAFDT plant has been proven very minor, the PCDD/F content in the feed and soil, which was contaminated by illegal fly ash landfills, requires more attention.     

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from a heavy oil-fueled power plant in northern Taiwan

We measured the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from the flue gas and the ambient atmosphere of a power plant fueled by heavy oil in northern Taiwan. The mean emission concentration and I-TEQ concentration of total PCDD/Fs were 0.292 ng/Nm(3) and 0.016 ng I-TEQ/Nm(3), respectively. All PCDD/F emission concentrations in the flue gas were supposed to meet the Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. standard (1.0 ng I-TEQ/Nm(3) from 2008). Furthermore, the mean I-TEQ concentration in the ambient atmosphere was 0.011 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3), which was much lower than the environmental quality standards for dioxins in Japan (0.6 pg TEQ/Nm(3)). Also, the PCDD/F emission factor was 0.188 ng I-TEQ/L fuel, which was comparable to the data issued in US EPA [EPA, Locating and estimating air emissions from sources of dioxins and furans, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, DCN No. 95-298130-54-01, 1997] (0.2 ng I-TEQ/L of fuel). Also, the result of the correlations of PCDD/Fs and operational parameters illustrated that the positively significant correlation (r=0.502, p=0.048) was found only between PCDD/Fs (I-TEQ) and the flue gas emission temperature (125-157 degrees C). However, PCDD-TEQ/PCDF-TEQ ratios were statistically significantly associated with the decreased flue gas flow (r=-0.659, p=0.006), moisture (r=-0.612, p=0.012) and flue gas temperature (r=-0.503, p=0.047). For proper environmental management of dioxins, it is necessary to establish a complete emission inventory of PCDD/Fs, and, in particular, the government should pay more attention to power plants to address the information shortage.     

Significance of biomass open burning on the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the ambient air

In southern Taiwan, two areas (L- and Y-) with/without biomass open burning were selected to compare the PCDD/F concentrations and their congener profiles in the ambient air. The results of this study indicate that biomass (rice straw) open burning exhibited a significant impact on the PCDD/F concentration level in the ambient air. During the biomass burning season, the total PCDD/F I-TEQ concentrations in the ambient air of L- and Y-areas were approximately 4 and 17 times higher than those without biomass open burning, respectively. When 10% mass fraction of rice straw was burned, the contribution fraction of biomass burning on annual total PCDD/F I-TEQ emission was 3.28 and 8.11% for KC County and for Taiwan, respectively; however, when the calculation was on a weekly basis, the contribution fraction of biomass burning on weekly total PCDD/F I-TEQ emission was 30.6 and 53.4% for KC County and for Taiwan, respectively. The results of this study imply that during the week of biomass burning, it appears to be the most significant source of total I-TEQ PCDD emission. The results of this research can be applied to the study of other agricultural areas.     

Distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxin-like PCBs) in the soil in a typical area of eastern China

The distribution and concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxin-like PCBs, also called co-PCBs) in a typical area of eastern China were evaluated by analysis of 21 soil and 6 sediment samples. The range of WHO-TEQ values for the PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in 17 soil samples representing the background investigation in the study area was 0.017-5.04 pg g(-1) (dry weight, dw), with a mean value 0.967(+/-1.361)pg g(-1) and medium value 0.348 pg g(-1), which indicates that the levels of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs over the major part of this district were low. However, the WHO-TEQ values (6.52-16.7 pg g(-1) dw) for PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in soil samples to the leeward of a known contaminated disassembly industrial park were much higher than that of the background investigation, and the levels of sediment samples downstream of this area were in the range 2.25-34.6 pg g(-1) (dw). The levels of WHO-TEQ in soil and sediment samples decreased with an increase in distance from the researched pollution source. The principal component analysis demonstrated that the PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in major part of contaminated sediment and soil samples derived from the correlative matrix. Yet the different distribution patterns of them in part of sediment samples strongly indicate that other potential sources may be exist, further researches should be done to get more information about the sources and the distributions of the PCDD/Fs and PCBs.     

Comparisons of levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans in the surrounding environment and workplace of two municipal solid waste incinerators

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the surrounding environment (outdoor) and workplace air of two municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs, T and M) were characterized and compared. T and M represented two typical municipal solid waste incinerators in the north of Taiwan, which have different processes for controlling the PCDD/F emissions. The results of this study are summarized as follows. (1) The total PCDD/F and the total PCDD/F WHO-TEQ concentrations in the workplace air were 5-13 and 5-15 times higher than those in the outdoor air, respectively. Obviously, it is worthwhile to explore more on health risk assessment for exposure of PCDD/Fs emitted from MSWIs, particularly in the workplace air. (2) Mean total PCDD/F I-TEQ concentrations in the outdoor air ranged between 0.0216 and 0.155 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3) and averaged 0.0783 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3) (0.0828 pg WHO-TEQ/Nm(3)) during two seasons for two MSWIs, which were 6.5-fold higher than that of a remote site (0.0119 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3) or 0.0132 pg WHO-TEQ/Nm(3)) in Taiwan. However, the above outdoor air concentration levels in the MSWIs were still much lower than the air quality limitation of PCDD/Fs (0.6 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3)) in Japan []. (3) PCDFs were the primary toxicity distributors for PCDD/Fs in the outdoor air, since the ratios of PCDDs/PCDFs (I-TEQ) at all sampling sites ranged from 0.180 to 0.492 and were less than unity. (4) The OCDD, OCDF, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF were the four dominant species in both workplace and outdoor air near MSWIs. (5) By spraying water on and wetting both the fly and bottom ashes, the mean total PCDD/F I-TEQ concentration in the workplace air was reduced 86.9% in the T MSWI. The above results indicate an appropriate improving action did inhibit the fugitive emission of PCDD/Fs and reduce the health risk of workers during work handling ashes in MSWIs.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans distributions in ash from different units in a municipal solid waste incinerator

This study determined the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) contents in ash in the super heater (SH), economizer (EC), semi-dryer absorber (SDA), fabric filter (FF), fly ash pit (FAP) and bottom residue (BR) in a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI). A high-resolution gas chromatograph/high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRGC/HRMS) was utilized for analyzing 17 PCDD/F species. Experimental results showed that average PCDD/F contents in ash samples from the SH, EC, SDA, FF, FAP and BR were 0.102, 0.788, 0.210, 1.95, 2.04 and 0.0218 ng I-TEQ g(-1), respectively. PCDD/F content was very low in the SH and BR due to high temperatures (around 461 degrees C in the SH and 914 degrees C in combustion chamber). Conversely, total PCDD/F content was significantly high in ash samples from the EC (around 340 degrees C), mainly because the temperature is within the favorable range of 250-400 degrees C for PCDD/F formation due to de nova reformation mechanisms. Although the SDA operated at 245 degrees C, the PCDD/F content decreased very significantly, mainly because the temperature was relatively low and because calcium carbonate was introduced into flue gases to dechlorinate and dilute chlorine-containing species. PCDD/Fs were captured by the active carbon in the FF. Furthermore, the duration that fly ash remained in the FF was longer than that for other incinerator units, and thus causing an increasing trend of PCDD/Fs level downstream (except the SDA). Total PCDD/Fs emission factors (microg tonnes-waste(-1); microg I-TEQ tonnes-waste(-1)) in ash samples from different units were: SH (42.3; 0.846), EC (326; 6.12), SDA (58.1; 1.10), FF (1540; 61.3), FAP (2950; 107) and BR (537; 4.31). Most PCDD/Fs in ash were contributed by the FF (about 56%), and the generation of PCDD/Fs in ash was significant (about 35%) during the transfer process from different units to the FAP. A strong and positive correlation in a logarithmic form existed between PCDD/Fs and chlorine (Cl(-1)) contents in ash. In Taiwan, the government policy for incineration residues advocates their reuse as road sub-bases or secondary building materials provided that total PCDD/Fs content is below the legal limit (1 ng I-TEQ g(-1)). Thus, ash with total PCDD/Fs content below the legal limit, such as that from the SH, EC, SDA and BR, can be collected and transferred to the FAP and reused. Ash with total PCDD/Fs content exceeding the legal limit, such as that from the FF, should be collected separately and be treated properly before being disposal in a landfill.     

A novel method to enhance polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans removal by adding bio-solution in EAF dust treatment plant

In order to understand the effect of different amounts of powder-activated carbon (PAC) injection and bio-solution (NOE-7F) addition on the removal efficiencies of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in a fly ash treatment plant with Waelz rotary kiln process, the PCDD/F concentrations in the stack flue gasses were measured and discussed. In the amount of 20, 40 and 50 kg/h PAC injection, the removal efficiencies of PCDD/Fs in the stack flue gas were 86, 96 and 97%, respectively. While adding more amounts of PAC did enhance the removal efficiencies, the reduction fractions of low chlorinated PCDD/F congeners were much higher than those of highly chlorinated PCDD/F congeners. Particularly, a lower amount of PAC injection (20 kg/h), not only cannot remove highly chlorinated PCDD/Fs, but also the carbon surface of the PAC can act as a precursor for the formation promotion of highly chlorinated PCDD/F congeners. The addition of NOE-7F in the raw materials had the dechlorination effect on the PCDD/F removal and mainly inhibited highly chlorinated PCDD/F formation. The combination of both PAC injection and NOE-7F addition has a high potential for practical application.     

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in primipara breast milk from Taiwan: estimation of dioxins and furans intake for breastfed infants

Postnatal exposure to dioxins in breastfed infants occurs mainly during breast-feeding. The exposure to a substantial amount of endocrine disruptors in the early days of life may cause long-term health effects. Test subjects were healthy and primiparous mothers with a mean age of 28 (S.D. = 3.8) in 2001. The PCDD/F congeners were analyzed in the breast milk using gas chromatograph/high resolution mass spectrometry. The mean level of PCDD/Fs was 7.4 pg-WHO-TEQ/g lipid, which is significantly lower than the level found in individuals from other countries. The total PCDD WHO-TEQ levels in breast milk had a significant positive association with maternal age and a slightly negative association with perinatal BMI (body mass index of the period before and after the delivery). The estimated daily intake of 10.5 pg-WHO-TEQ/kg/day from individual breast milk was predicted for a breastfed infant at 6 months of age with proper assumption of 8 kg body weight, 854 milk per day of consumption, 95% of dioxin absorption rate, and linear decline of dioxin during lactation. Based on the lower WHO-TEQ levels in the breast milk, breast-feeding should still be encouraged and continued in Taiwan.     

Elevated concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in hair from workers at an electronic waste recycling facility in eastern China

Hair samples collected from e-waste recycling workers (n=23 males, n=4 females) were analyzed to assess occupational exposures to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) at a large e-waste recycling facility in Taizhou, eastern China. Hair samples from a reference population composed of residents of Shanghai (n=11) were analyzed for comparison. The mean concentration of ∑PBDEs (range, 22.8-1020 ng/g dw; mean, 157 ng/g dw) found in hair samples from e-waste recycling workers was approximately 3 times higher than the mean determined for the reference samples. The congener profiles of PBDEs in hair from e-waste recycling workers were dominated by BDE 209, whereas the profiles in the reference-population samples showed comparable levels of BDE 47 and BDE 209. Total PCDD/F concentrations in hair from e-waste workers (range, 126-5820 pg/g dw; mean, 1670 pg/g dw) were approximately 18-fold greater than the concentrations measured in hair from the reference population. Concentrations of PCDFs were greater than concentrations of PCDDs, in all of the hair samples analyzed (samples from e-waste and non-e-waste sites). Tetrachlorodibenzofurans (TCDFs) were the major homologues in hair samples. Overall, e-waste recycling workers had elevated concentrations of both PBDEs and PCDD/Fs, indicating that they are exposed to high levels of multiple persistent organic pollutants.     

A seasonality study of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in ambient air in Kaohsiung (Taiwan) clustered with metallurgical industries

As a comprehensive monitoring survey on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in Kaohsiung, 40 ambient air samples taken from 10 locations in four seasons were studied. PCDD/F concentrations at 0.312-4.58pgNm(-3) and I-TEQ values, ranging from 0.0319 to 0.256pgNm(-3) were determined for these samples, which were comparable to those of other urban cities. However, unlike studies on some other urban cities, the ambient air in Kaohsiung did not exhibit regular seasonality in PCDD/F concentrations. All samples were predominated, in common, by congeners OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD, OCDF and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF. The congener profiles of the samples generally did not display any seasonal trend, either. The insignificant seasonality and constancy of congener profiles with time were attributed to the constant influence by emission sources in a metal-producing center, thereby resulting in high atmospheric dioxin levels in the nearby district. Principal component analyses identified that dioxin emissions in ambient air of the city originated from electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and sinter plants in the center. Concentration isopleth analyses assessing pollution sources and ambient air of the district also confirmed that its atmosphere was affected largely by the EAFs and sinter plants.