Concentrations of PCDD/PCDFs and PCBs in spent foundry sands

Approximately 10 milliontons of spent foundry sand (SFS) are generated in the United States each year, and their beneficial use in agricultural and horticultural applications is being considered. Other studies have demonstrated that trace elements are low enough in sands from iron, steel, and aluminum foundries to allow their beneficial use. Because data were not available on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls in SFSs, we analyzed representative spent sands from 10 foundries to assess the potential for these compounds to limit their use in soil-related applications. The total TEQ (toxicity equivalent) concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 3.13ng TEQkg−1, with an average concentration of 0.58ng TEQkg−1. These concentrations are within the range of natural background in soils.