Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 914

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833301, Taiwan
Interests: persistent organic pollutants; PFAS; microplastics; tire wear particles; contaminants of emerging concerns; potentially toxic elements; transportation; exposure

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833301, Taiwan
Interests: PAHs; nitro-PAHs; PFAS; microplastics; tire wear particles; contaminants of emerging concerns; potentially toxic elements; exposure; CFD

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to bring together leading researchers worldwide to consolidate cutting-edge research that explores the intricate interactions between airborne POPs, microplastics, and the atmosphere. Air pollution by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and microplastics is a major environmental concern, and its impact on human health is increasingly recognised. Their unique properties, such as resistance to degradation, bioaccumulation in food chains, and widespread presence in the environment, call for attention from researchers. This is a relatively new and understudied area of research.

The potential risks posed by POPs and microplastics in the air, including inflammation, cancer, birth defects, and endocrine disruption among other health problems, call for a comprehensive examination to understand their toxicity and impacts on ecosystems and atmospheric processes. This critical information is required to develop strategies to reduce exposure.

This Special Issue will focus on the following key areas:

  • Chemical Characterisation: the comprehensive analysis of the composition, sources, and distribution of airborne POPs and microplastics in the air.
  • Transport and Fate: the application of novel methods to investigate the distribution of POPs and microplastics in the air, including atmospheric transport, deposition, and fate of these pollutants on local, regional, and global scales.
  • Toxicological Impacts: exposure to POPs and microplastics and health risk assessments and impacts to wildlife and ecosystems.
  • Atmospheric Processes: exploration of the influence of these pollutants on atmospheric processes, such as radiative forcing and cloud formation.

We look forward to your valuable submissions.

Best regards,

Prof. Dr. Guo-Ping Chang-Chien
Dr. Justus Kavita Mutuku
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • persistent organic pollutants
  • microplastics
  • emerging contaminants
  • chemical characterisation
  • meta-analyses
  • modelling approaches
  • exposure assessment
  • atmospheric chemistry

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 2502 KiB  
Article
Impact of Integrating Flameless Combustion Technology and Sludge–Fly Ash Recirculation on PCDE Emissions in Hazardous Waste Thermal Treatment Systems
by Sheng-Lun Lin, Lu-Lu Duan, Jhong-Lin Wu, Chien-Er Huang and Meng-Jie Song
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060710 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), persistent environmental pollutants, are found in flue gas from incinerators. While air pollution control systems (APCSs) capture pollutants, the resulting sludge/fly ash (SFA) requires further treatment due to residual PCDEs and other harmful substances. This study investigated a hazardous [...] Read more.
Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), persistent environmental pollutants, are found in flue gas from incinerators. While air pollution control systems (APCSs) capture pollutants, the resulting sludge/fly ash (SFA) requires further treatment due to residual PCDEs and other harmful substances. This study investigated a hazardous waste thermal treatment system (HAWTTS) utilizing flameless combustion technology alongside a multistage APCS (scrubbers, cyclone demisters, bag houses). SFA from the APCS was recirculated for secondary combustion. PCDE levels were measured before and after each unit within the HAWTTS. The HAWTTS achieved a remarkable overall PCDE removal efficiency of 99%. However, the incinerator alone was less effective for low-chlorine PCDEs. Scrubbers and bag houses exhibited lower removal efficiencies (17.8% and 30.9%, respectively) due to the memory effect. Conversely, the cyclone demister achieved a high removal rate (98.2%). Following complete APCS treatment, PCDE emissions were significantly reduced to 1.02 ng/Nm3. While SFA still contained some PCDEs, the flameless combustion’s uniform temperature distribution enhanced combustion efficiency, minimizing overall PCDE emissions. This system demonstrates significant potential for mitigating PCDE pollution from incinerators. Further research could focus on optimizing treatment processes to address residual PCDEs in SFA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air)
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