Emission of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Coal-Fired Power Stations in The Netherlands

摘要

The relevance of the emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by coal-fired electric power stations in The Netherlands was assessed in terms of environmental effects. The assessment was based on measurements of these emissions and on a literature search. Emissions of carcinogenic PAH by stack gases and coal ash were negligible. The phenomenon of chemical transformation of non-carcinogenic low-molecular PAH (in particular, phenathrene in concentrations of micrograms per cubic meter of stack gas) into carcinogenic compounds under actual stack-gas conditions and in exhaust plumes needs further study.