skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Identification of arsenic species in coal ash particles. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:10140591
; ; ;  [1]
  1. K-F Univ., Graz (Austria). Inst. for Analytical Chemistry

Identification of the chemical species and compounds of arsenic in individual coal fly ash particles will help provide a scientifically sound basis for assessing health risks from inhalation of these particles. This report summarizes the results of laser studies of single ash particles, leaching experiments, and electron microscopy investigation, performed with the goal of identifying arsenic species and compounds in fly and bottom ashes. This study`s identification of the principal arsenic species in coal fly ash particles shows that arsenic is present on the surface of particles as arsenate (pentavalent) species. The predominant compound identified is calcium arsenate. Pentavalent arsenic species, as found in calcium arsenate, are known to be about 10 to 100 times less acutely toxic than trivalent species (arsenite), as found in arsenic trioxide.

Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); K-F Univ., Inst. for Analytical Chemistry, Graz (Austria)
Sponsoring Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
OSTI ID:
10140591
Report Number(s):
EPRI-TR-109002; ON: UN99003334; TRN: AHC29927%%209
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Jun 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English