Contamination level and congener profiles of PCBs, Co-PCBs and PCDD/DFs in transformer insulation oil samples

The levels of total PCBs, Co-PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the transformer insulation oil samples obtained using GC/ECD and HRGC/HRMS were ranged from N.D. to 77.3 ppm, from 0.0863 to 2.49 ppm and from N.D. to 0.00241 ppm, respectively. In terms of WHO-TEQ values, Co-PCBs and PCDD/Fs were ranged from 23.3 to 600 pgTEQ/g and from N.D. to 128 pgTEQ/g, respectively (${\Sigma}Co$-PCBs+PCDD/Fs concentration was calculated 24.4~728 pgTEQ/g). Although, the contribution of PCDD/Fs was below 12% in total TEQ concentration, it is suggested contamination of PCDD/Fs in transformer insulation oils. Among 10 samples, 4 samples showed higher concentration than 2 ppm (specific waste criterion of Korea) and Aroclor 1242, 1248, 1254 and 1260 was detected in samples as a single or mixture of Aroclor. It was shown reliable relationship between concentration of Co-PCBs and those of PCDD/Fs (p<0.003), however, was not shown between production year of transformer and concentration of PCBs. The distribution pattern of Co-PCB congeners showed that the ratios of mono-ortho substituted congeners were higher than non-ortho substituted congeners. Among that, PCB-118 congener was predominant. In addition, the OCDD congener was predominated in PCDD/Fs congeners as above 53%. Moreover, the congener pattern of Co-PCBs was similar to that of Aroclor as well as ambient air, which suggested that PCBs volatilization from transformer insulation oil affected the pattern of Co-PCBs in ambient air.

변압기 절연유 중 PCBs, Co-PCBs 및 PCDD/PCDFs 오염수준 및 이성체 분포

변압기 절연유 중 PCBs, Co-PCBs 및 PCDD/Fs를 GC/ECD와 HRGC/HRMS를 이용하여 정량한 결과 각각 N.D.~77.3 ppm, 0.0863~2.49 ppm과 N.D.~0.00241 ppm으로 검출되었다. WHO-TEQ 농도는 Co-PCBs가 23.3~600 pgTEQ/g, PCDD/Fs가 N.D.~128 pgTEQ/g (${\Sigma}Co$-PCBs+PCDD/Fs은 24.4~728 pgTEQ/g)으로 검출되어, 총 TEQ 농도 중 PCDD/Fs가 차지하는 비율은 12% 이하였으나, 변압기 절연유 중에 미량의 다이옥신이 존재하는 것으로 나타났다. 총 10개의 시료 중 4개의 시료에서 현행 기준인 2 ppm을 초과하였으며, 시료에 따라서 Aroclor 1242, 1248, 1254 및 1260이 단품 혹은 혼합품의 형태로 포함되어 있었다. 또한 Co-PCBs와 PCDD/Fs의 농도사이에 상관성이 나타났으나 (P<0.003), 변압기의 제작년도와 농도사이에 상관성은 나타나지 않았다. Co-PCBs 이성체 분포에 있어서 non-ortho 치환 이성체에 비해 mono-ortho 이성체가 높은 비율을 차지하였으며, PCB-118 이성체가 모든 시료에서 42% 이상으로 가장 높은 비율을 차지하였다. PCDD/Fs 이성체 분포에 있어서는 OCDD가 53% 이상으로 다른 이성체에 비해 높은 비율을 차지했다. 또한 일부 시료 중 Co-PCBs의 이성체패턴은 환경 대기시료 뿐만 아니라 PCBs 제품인 Aroclor와 유사한 패턴을 나타내어, 변압기 절연유가 대기 중 PCBs의 오염원 중 하나라는 것이 시사되었다.