Abstract
This contribution reports results from the gas-phase oxidation of 4-bromo-4'-chlorobiphenyl (4,4'-BCB) in order to fathom the formation of toxic species produced during the combustion of mixed halogenated aromatics. In their own right, mixed polybrominated/polychlorinated biphenyls (PXBs) represent a new class of environmental contaminants, recently detected in food and human tissues. Gas chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-QMS), gas chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-QTOFMS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ion chromatography (IC) served to analyse the volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (V/SVOCs), including mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PXDD/Fs), and gaseous products including HBr/HCl. The selection of non-ortho substituted PXB as a model species yields a large number of halogenated compounds, including monochloro- and monobromobenzene and higher halogenated benzenes and naphthalenes and derivatives of halogenated benzenes (such as 1-chloro-4-ethynylbenzene). We also detect small amounts of chlorinated and mixed halogenated dibenzofurans. The present study provides insights into the formation of several classes of halogenated and mixed-halogenated pollutants in combustion processes involving both bromine and chlorine sources, such as those of brominated flame retardants and PVC plastics.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 243-260 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | International Journal of Environment and Pollution |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 3-4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- 4-bromo-4'-chlorobiphenyl
- PXBs
- brominated and chlorinated biphenyls
- formation mechanisms of trace pollutants
- halogenated VOC and SVOC
- halogenated aromatic compounds
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Pollution
- Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law