PCDF formation from PCBs under fire conditions

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Chemosphere; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-6535(85)90202-4· OSTI ID:5010750

Erickson, M D; Cole, C J; Flora, Jr, J D; Gorman, P G; Haile, C L; Hinshaw, G D; Hopkins, F C; Swanson, S E; Heggem, D T

Electrical transformer fires can cause extensive smoke damage, especially when PCBs are involved. At high temperatures, such as those in transformer fires, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can react to form polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and other toxic by-products. The US EPA is considering additional regulations to minimize the risk of these PCB transformer fires. To provide background information to EPA, MRI has studied the thermal decomposition of PCBs. This study was undertaken to optimize conditions for PCDF formation and to study the potential for formation for PCDFs and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) from combustion of selected PCB-containing dielectric fluids.

• Research Organization: Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO
• OSTI ID: 5010750
• Journal Information: Chemosphere; (United States), Journal Name: Chemosphere; (United States) Vol. 14:6-7; ISSN CMSHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COMBUSTION
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FURANS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TRANSFORMERS