ABSTRACT
The US Environmental Protection Agency regulates emissions from municipal waste combustors and sets emission limits for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxine (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF). The PCDD's and PCDF's are extracted from the particulate matter, the absorbent, and the rinses. The extracted PCDD's and PCDF's are separated by high-resolution gas chromatography, and each isomer is identified and measured with high resolution mass spectrometry. The total PCDD's and PCDF's are the sum of the individual isomers. The gas chromatography uses an oven that can maintain the separation column at the proper operating temperature and perform programmed increases in temperature at rates of at least 72°F/min. All glass components of the sampling train upstream of and including the absorbing module should be cleaned. Residual silicone grease sealants on ground glass connections of used glassware should be removed. Any residue shall be removed by soaking the glassware in a chromic acid cleaning solution first.
