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Emissions from Open Burning of Simulated Military Waste from Forward Operating Bases
Citation:
Aurell, J., B. Gullett, D. Tabor, D. Yamamoto, AND J. Ratto Ross. Emissions from Open Burning of Simulated Military Waste from Forward Operating Bases. SERDP/ESTCP Symposium, Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C, November 28 - 30, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
Emissions were characterized from open burns simulating military "burn pits" to provide emission factor information that could potentially be used in exposure studies. We are aware of no other similar study that characterized emission factors for a broad range of compounds.
Description:
Emissions from open burning of simulated military waste from forward operating bases (FOBs) were extensively characterized as an initial step in assessing potential inhalation exposure of FOB personnel and future disposal alternatives. Emissions from two different burning scenarios, so-called “burn piles/pits” and an air curtain burner/“burn box”, were compared using simulated FOB waste from municipal and commercial sources. A comprehensive array of emissions was quantified, including carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter equal to or less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans (PCDDs/PCDFs), polybrominated dibenzodioxins and -furans (PBDDs/PBDFs), and metals. Emission factors, the amount of pollutant per unit amount of burned waste, was calculated as a first step toward characterizing potential inhalation risk and to allow for emission projections and dispersion modeling. In general, smoldering conditions in the burn box and the burn pile led to similar emissions. However, when the burn box underwent periodic waste charging to maintain sustained combustion, PM2.5, VOCs, and PAH emissions dropped considerably compared to smoldering conditions and the overall burn pile results. The PCDD/PCDF and PBDD/PBDF emission factors for the burn piles were 50 times higher than those from the burn box likely due to the dominance of smoldering combustion in the burn piles.