TY - JOUR
T1 - Bio-oils from biomass slow pyrolysis
T2 - A chemical and toxicological screening
AU - Cordella, Mauro
AU - Torri, Cristian
AU - Adamiano, Alessio
AU - Fabbri, Daniele
AU - Barontini, Federica
AU - Cozzani, Valerio
PY - 2012/9/15
Y1 - 2012/9/15
N2 - Bio-oils were produced from bench-scale slow-pyrolysis of three different biomass samples (corn stalks, poplar and switchgrass). Experimental protocols were developed and applied in order to screen their chemical composition. Several hazardous compounds were detected in the bio-oil samples analysed, including phenols, furans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A procedure was outlined and applied to the assessment of toxicological and carcinogenic hazards of the bio-oils. The following hazardous properties were considered: acute toxicity; ecotoxicity; chronic toxicity; carcinogenicity. Parameters related to these properties were quantified for each component identified in the bio-oils and overall values were estimated for the bio-oils. The hazard screening carried out for the three bio-oils considered suggested that: (i) hazards to human health could be associated with chronic exposures to the bio-oils; (ii) acute toxic effects on humans and eco-toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems could also be possible in the case of loss of containment; and (iii) bio-oils may present a marginal potential carcinogenicity. The approach outlined allows the collection of screening information on the potential hazards posed by the bio-oils. This can be particularly useful when limited time and analytical resources reduce the possibility to obtain detailed specific experimental data.
AB - Bio-oils were produced from bench-scale slow-pyrolysis of three different biomass samples (corn stalks, poplar and switchgrass). Experimental protocols were developed and applied in order to screen their chemical composition. Several hazardous compounds were detected in the bio-oil samples analysed, including phenols, furans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A procedure was outlined and applied to the assessment of toxicological and carcinogenic hazards of the bio-oils. The following hazardous properties were considered: acute toxicity; ecotoxicity; chronic toxicity; carcinogenicity. Parameters related to these properties were quantified for each component identified in the bio-oils and overall values were estimated for the bio-oils. The hazard screening carried out for the three bio-oils considered suggested that: (i) hazards to human health could be associated with chronic exposures to the bio-oils; (ii) acute toxic effects on humans and eco-toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems could also be possible in the case of loss of containment; and (iii) bio-oils may present a marginal potential carcinogenicity. The approach outlined allows the collection of screening information on the potential hazards posed by the bio-oils. This can be particularly useful when limited time and analytical resources reduce the possibility to obtain detailed specific experimental data.
KW - Bio-oils
KW - Biomass
KW - Experimental protocols
KW - Slow pyrolysis
KW - Toxicological properties
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84864321546
U2 - 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.06.030
DO - 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.06.030
M3 - Article
C2 - 22790394
AN - SCOPUS:84864321546
SN - 0304-3894
VL - 231-232
SP - 26
EP - 35
JO - Journal of Hazardous Materials
JF - Journal of Hazardous Materials
ER -
