Preliminary investigation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran, polychlorinated naphthalene, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in ambient air in an industrial park at the northeastern edge of the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau, China.

Abstract

Ambient air samples collected in an industrial park at the northeastern edge of the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau (China) were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), and dioxin-like (dl) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The PCDD/F, PCN, and dl-PCB concentrations were 1.18-2.18, 21.9-75.1, and 0.49-0.90\u202fpg/m3, respectively. The concentrations of these compounds were clearly higher than that observed at a remote site and were comparable with those found in ambient air in industrial areas in other locations. A principal component analysis indicated that emissions from local industrial sites (a secondary aluminum smelter, a cement kiln, and a lead-zinc smelter) at which thermal processes are performed were the sources of PCDD/Fs to the air. The combustion-related PCN congener profiles suggested that industrial thermal processes strongly affect PCN concentrations in ambient air at the industrial park. The results clearly indicated that the industrial park is a source of environmental PCDD/Fs and PCNs at the northeastern edge of the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau.