Potential sources of unintentionally produced PCB, HCB, and PeCBz in China: A preliminary overview

Highlights

A preliminary analysis of potential sources for unintentionally produced PCB, HCB and PeCBz in China.

Activity rates of sources for reference years from 2000 to 2015 provided.

Emissions from a number of sources summarized and compared.

Implications for future research and regulation discussed.

Abstract

Under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), China is required not only to reduce polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) but also unintentionally produced polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and pentachlorobenzene (PeCBz). A baseline of the sources in China that generate these unintentional POPs is needed for both research and regulation purposes. In this paper, we have compiled production data of potential sources in China and assessed them in five-year intervals from 2000 to 2015. Most of these activities experienced changes from rapid growth to slow growth. Measured data for PCB, HCB and PeCBz in samples collected from potential sources in China were reviewed. Most information was associated to thermal processes with high potential of emission, including waste incineration and ferrous and non-ferrous metal production. In addition, high levels of PCB, HCB and PeCBz were found as impurities in a few chlorinated products or as by-products in solvent production, which suggested organochlorine industry might be important sources. Finally, based on the studies reviewed, recommendations for future actions in research and policy as well as a few regulatory issues in China are discussed.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Unintentionally produced POPs / Polychlorinated biphenyls / Hexachlorobenzene / Pentachlorobenzene / sources of releases / Annual production activities

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (2013AA06A305), Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University, The Collaborative Innovation Center for Regional Environmental Quality and project NSFC/UNEP (No. B07, 21561142001).

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