Measures to prevent emissions of PCDDS/DFs and co-planar PCBs from crematories in Japan

Chemosphere. 2001 May-Jun;43(4-7):763-71. doi: 10.1016/s0045-6535(00)00431-8.

Abstract

In this study, PCDDs/DFs and co-planar PCBs concentrations in flue gases from 17 crematories and in fly ashes and bottom ashes (mainly bone) from several crematories were measured to grasp the present state of PCDDs/DFs emissions from crematories. The effects of several factors were discussed to prevent PCDDs/DFs emissions from crematories. Total concentration (normalized by 12% O2) of PCDDs/DFs was ranged from 4.9 to 1200 ng/m3 N, and toxic equivalent concentration was ranged from 0.064 to 24 ng TEQ/m3 N. As the results obtained in this research, the following measures to reduce PCDDs/DFs emission are recommended for existing crematories: (1) keeping the temperature at 800 degrees C in main/secondary chambers during a whole cremation, and (2) lowering the temperature in the dust collector. For newly installed crematories, following measures to prevent PCDDs/DFs emission including the measures for existing ones are recommended: (1) connecting one secondary chamber to one main chamber, (2) installing the high efficiency dust collector and reducing dust concentration to less than 0.01 g/m3 N, and (3) installing the sampling point for monitoring of PCDDs/DFs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollution / prevention & control*
  • Benzofurans / analysis*
  • Bone and Bones
  • Cadaver
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Dust
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Facility Design and Construction
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Mortuary Practice*
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analogs & derivatives
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analysis*
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis*

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Dust
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls