Identification of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds emitted during thermal degradation and combustion of triadimenol

Thermal degradation and combustion of pesticides lead to the emission of chemicals that are harmful and dangerous for humans and the environment. The aim of the work was to study thermal decomposition of triadimenol and analyze organic compounds, in particular dioxins precursors released during that process. The thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry method was used to examine the physical and chemical processes occurring under high temperatures in air atmosphere. The application of a simultaneous thermal analyzer combined with an infrared spectrometer allowed to identify substances generated during the experiments. To generate the fire effluents contained in thermal degradation products, the steady-state tube furnace was also used. The gas samples were taken using solid-phase microextraction method. Meanwhile for the detection and identification of released chemicals, the gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer was adopted. The obtained results showed that tested pesticides undergo both thermal decomposition and oxidation during thermal degradation in air. In the gases emitted during thermal decomposition, carbon oxides, hydrogen cyanide and many aliphatic and aromatic compounds were found. However, the main toxic substances identified under all tested conditions were: hydrogen cyanide, 4-chlorophenol and many substituted benzenes and polycyclic hydrocarbons.