Polychlorinated naphthalenes and other chlorinated tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emitted from combustion of polyvinylchloride.

Chloronaphthalenes (CNs) and phenanthrenes or/and anthracenes (CP/CAs) were detected in the emissions of polyvinylchloride (PVC) combustion at 900 degrees C. The presence of metallic iron, copper, or aluminum increased the formation of highly chlorinated CNs (tri- to octachloro-homologues) in the PVC combustion process. Total levels of CNs and CP/CAs were 40-48 and 76-116 mg/kg PVC, respectively, in the emissions from combustion of PVC with metals. Monochloronaphthalenes, dichloronaphtahlenes, monochlorophenanthrenes, and monochloroanthracenes were the predominant homologues. The other CN homologues were minor combustion byproducts. Detection of CNs in the PVC combustion emissions suggests that CN formation from solid waste incineration is a source of CNs in the environment.