Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter emitted from coke oven battery

Coke oven battery is one of the main sources of fugitive total suspend particles (TSP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coke plants. In this study the content of selected PAHs associated with the TSP in the immediate vicinity of the coke oven battery Radlin (Poland) was investigated. TSP collection places were located on battery wall, battery roof, pusher machine and coal transfer car. Revealed TSP concentrations were within the range of 0.50-5.15 mg/m³, the total content of PAHs within wide range of 216.6-28018.9 μg/g. Regardless of the concentration level of PAHs connected with the TSP in the coke oven battery surrounding, it was found that four rings PAHs are the main fraction (50-70%). The high average concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and Toxicity Equivalent BaP (BaPeq) reaching 1.29 and 2.63 μg/m³ respectively in the immediate vicinity of coke oven battery, could pose a serious threat to the health of a coking plant workers. Calculated diagnostic ratios BaA/(BaA + Ch), Fl/(Fl + Py), BaP/(BaP + Ch), BbF/BkF, BaP/BghiP, BaA/Ch are characteristic for the coking process.