Pollution profiles, health risk of VOCs and biohazards emitted from municipal solid waste transfer station and elimination by an integrated biological-photocatalytic flow system: a pilot-scale investigation

J Hazard Mater. 2013 Apr 15:250-251:147-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.01.059. Epub 2013 Feb 4.

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and biohazards air pollution in municipal solid waste transfer station were investigated. As compressor working, the concentrations of almost all quantified 14 VOCs (0.32-306.03 μg m(-3)) were much higher than those as compressor off (0-13.31 μg m(-3)). Comparatively, only 3 VOCs with extremely low concentrations could be detected at control area. Total microorganism was 7567 CFU m(-3) as compressor working, which was 1.14 and 6.22 times higher than that of compressor off and control area, respectively. Bacteria were the most abundant microorganism at all three sampling places. At pilot-scale, during whole 60-day treatment, for VOCs, the average removal efficiencies were over 92% after biotrickling filter-photocatalytic (BTF-PC) treatment. Although non-cancer and cancer risks of some VOCs were over the concern level before treatment, almost all VOCs were removed substantially and both potential risks were below the concern after BTF-PC treatment. Additionally, biohazard concentrations decreased dramatically and air quality was purified from polluted to cleanness after PC treatment. All results demonstrated that the integrated technology possessed high removal capacity and long stability for the removal of VOCs and biohazards at a pilot scale.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / chemistry
  • Air Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Air Pollution
  • Bacillus / metabolism
  • Catalysis
  • Equipment Design
  • Filtration / methods
  • Hazardous Substances / isolation & purification*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Refuse Disposal / instrumentation
  • Refuse Disposal / methods*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Solid Waste
  • Stem Cells
  • Volatile Organic Compounds*

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Air Pollutants
  • Hazardous Substances
  • Solid Waste
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • ethyl acetate