This paper investigates the sources of antimony (Sb) in municipal/industrial waste and the consequences of the pres ence of antimony in the input of waste.The average Sb con centration of the feed stream to waste incinerators is approx imately 42 mg/kg. More than 50% of the antimony originates from all types of flame retardants and approximately 35% comes from flame retardants used in consumer electrical and electronic equipment. There is a tendency to decrease the application of halogenated products (and thus of antimony) in flame retardants. Also, the other fields of application of antimony show a decreasing trend. There are no indications that a substantial increase of the concentration of antimony in the feed to municipal waste incinerators will occur in the near future. During the incineration process, the antimony compounds are only found in the bottom ash and fly ash. No volatile Sb compounds are present in the flue gas. This means that efficacious particle removal systems are sufficient for a complete Sb removal during incineration.
Belevi, H. (1995) Dank Spurenstoffen em besseres Prozessverstandnis in der Kerichtverbrennung (A better process understanding of waste incineration due to trace analysis), EWAG News 40' D (November)
2.
Crowson, P. (1992) Minerals Handbook 1992-1993. New York, NY, USA: Stockton Press.
3.
Frost & Sulhvan (1991) The European Market for Flame Retardants Chemicals (E1488 P february 1991).
4.
Enders, R. , Vater, C. & Jekel, M. (1990) Antimon im Abwasser von Abfallverbrennungsanlagen (Antimony in waste water from MSW incinerators), Mull und Abfall22 (12), 784.
5.
Hesseling, W F. M (1987) Onderzoek emissies afvalverbrandingsinstallaties (Investigation about the emissions from waste incinerators). TNO/MT Reports No 87726-16068 and 8726-13611.
6.
Hutzinger, O., Dumler, R., Thoma, H. & Lenoir, D. (1989a) Thermal formation of polybrominated benzidioxins (PBDD) and dibenzofurans (PBDF) from bromine containing flame retardants. Chemosphere19, 305-308.
7.
Hutzinger, O., Dumler, R., Thoma, H. & Lenoir, D. (1989b) PBDF and PBDD from the combustion of bromine containing flame retarded polymers - a survey. Chemosphere19, 2023-2031.
8.
Iarc (1989) Monograph on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans Some organic solvents, resin monomers and related compounds, pigments and occupational exposures in paint manufacturing and painting. Lyon, France. International Agency for Research on Cancer. pp 291-305.
9.
Iawg (1995) An international perspective on characterization and management of residues from municipal solid waste incineration. Final Document-International Ash Working Group
10.
Jekel, M., Ritz, J. & Vater, C. (1990) Abwasser und deren Behandlung (Waste waters and their treatment). In: Thomé-Kozmiensky, K. J (ed.) Mullverbrennung und Umwelt. Berlin, Germany. EF Verlag. p. 375.
11.
Jekel, M., Enders, R., Ritz, J., Vater, C. & Grohmann, A. (1993) Ganzheitliche Untersuchung des Reststoffproblems bei Abfallverbrennungsanlagen Nassverfahren ohne Abwassereinleitung (Complete investigation of the problem of residues from waste incinerators: scrubbing processes without waste water production), Abschlussbericht zum Vorhaben des Bundesministeriums fur Forschung und Technologie, No 1450548 3, Berlin, Germany.
12.
Kenntner, M. & Lememann, M. (1994) Umwelt- und arbeitsmedizinische Bedeutung von Antimon und semen wichtigsten Verbindungen (Environmental and occupational significance of antimony and its most important compounds). Zentralblatt fur Arbeitsmedizin44
13.
Kirk-Othmer (1992) Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology Volume 3 (fouth edition) New York, NY, USA: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 367-407.
14.
Mak (1989) Senatskommission zur Prufung Gesundheidschadlicher Arbeitstoffe der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (Senate Commission of the German Research Society for the evaluation of hazardous working materials).
Nakamura, K., Kinishita, S. & Takatuki, H. (1996) The origin and behaviour of lead, cadmium and antimony in MSW incinerators, Seminar on cycle and stabilization technologies of MSW incineration residues, March 5-8, 1966, Kyoto Research Park, Japan.
17.
Reimann, D.O. (1989) Heavy metals in domestic refuse and their distribution in incinerator residues. Waste Management and Research7, 57-62.
18.
Reimann, D.O. (1995) Antimony (Sb) - im Abfall sowie quantitativer Vergleich zu weiteren Restabfallinhaltstoffen (Antimony (Sb) in waste and a quatitative comparison with other waste constituents). Kurzbericht UO1/539A/AM.
19.
Slooff, W., Bont, P.E. H., Hesse, J.M. & Loos, B. (1992) Exploratory Report Antimony and Antimony Compounds . Report No 710401020, Dutch National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (R.1. V. M.).
20.
SRI International (1991) Specialty Chemicals - SRI International "Flame Retardants" June 1991.
21.
Ullmann (1974), Ullmanns Encyklopadie der technischen Chemie, 4 Auflage, Band 8, "Antimon und Antimon-Verbindungen " (Ullmann's Encyclopaedia of Technical Chemisty, 4th Edition, Volume 8, " Antimony and antimony compounds") Weinheim, Germany. Verlag Chemie. pp. 1-17.
22.
Van de Beek, A I. M., Cornelissen, A.A.J. &. Aalders, T.G. (1989) Fysisch en chemisch onderzoek aan huishoudelijk afval van 1987, inclusief batterijen (Physical and chemical studies on municipal waste of 1987, including batteries) . Report No 738505007, Dutch National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (R. I V M.)
23.
Van Ewijk, M., Koning, C.J.M. & Ros, J.P.M. (1990) Toepassingen en emissies van de aandachtstof antimoon (Applications and emissions of antimony). Report No 736301004, Dutch National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (R. I. V M.).
24.
Van Velzen, D. & Langenkamp, H. (1996) Antimony (Sb) in urban and industrial waste and in waste incineration. EUR Report 16435 EN.
25.
Vrom (1991) Stoffen en Normen, Overzicht en achtergronden van belangrijke stoffen en normen in het milieubeleid (Compounds and standards. Survey and backgrounds of important compounds and standards in environmental policy). Handboek milieuvergunningen (band 3). Alphen aan de Rijn, The Netherlands: Samson.
26.
Who (1992) Guidelines for drinking water quality, Volume 2: Health criteria and other supporting information, PCS/EHC/92 60b. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
