Presence of dioxins and furans in vegetation samples collected in the neighbourhood of a municipal solid waste incinerator

Abstract

Abstract Polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were analyzed by GC/MS in 24 vegetation samples collected in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator. Samples were taken within a radius of 3000 m from the stack in each of the three main wind directions in that area. Total TEq levels for PCDD/Fs ranged between 1.07 ng/kg (dry matter) and 3.05 ng/kg (dry matter), with median and mean values of 1.88 y 1.92 ng/kg (dry matter), respectively. OCDD/F and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8‐HpCDD/F were the dominating dioxin and furan congeners found in vegetation samples. Although the highest PCDD/F level (3.05 ng TEq/kg) was found at the north‐west (1000 m from the stack) direction, for most congeners and contributors to Teq the highest concentrations were observed at distances less than 250 m from the facility. The present results should be of concern for future assessments on the correlation between decreases in the atmospheric PCDD/F emission from the incinerator and the decline in the levels of PCDD/Fs in vegetation. Key words: PCDDs/PCDFsvegetationmunicipal solid waste incineratorMonteada (Spain) Notes To whom correspondence should be addressed