Characterizing polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the surrounding environment and workplace of a secondary aluminum smelter

This study aims to characterize polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the surrounding environment and workplace of a secondary aluminum smelter (secondary ALS). The mean I-TEQ concentrations in the stack flue gases and PCDD/F emission factor of the secondary ALS is 9.02 ng I-TEQ N m−3 and 50.1 μg I-TEQ ton-feedstock−1, respectively. The PCDD/F concentrations of outdoor (site O1, O2 and O3) and workplace air (site W1) during operation period are 0.670, 0.284, 0.141 and 0.571 pg I-TEQ N m−3, which are 3.3-, 2.1-, 1.8- and 2.5-fold higher than that during no operation period. The highest PCDD/F air concentrations (2.26 pg I-TEQ N-m−3) were measured at site W2 during furnace maintenance. The elevated PCDD/F air concentration (2.26 pg I-TEQ N m−3) caused by the fugitive particle during furnace maintenance implies that the PCDD/F concentration of air in the furnace that worker breathe could be extremely high. It reveals that PCDD/F exposure of furnace maintenance workers may be serious and further research on occupational exposure needs to be conducted.