Analysis of emissions collected from four types of iron casting molds

The levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and related compounds, phenols and particulates were determined in emissions collected from iron casting molds composed of four different types of chemical binders: furan, urethane, green sand with sea coal and phenol-formaldehyde resins in shell molds. The shell sample, with 50% particulates, contained the most water-soluble material; green sand, 25% particulates; furan, 10% particulates; and urethane, less than 2% particulate material. The portion of the particulate fraction soluble in cyclohexane varies from 16 to 36% between mold types; emissions from urethane and furan molds contained the lowest quantities of cyclohexane-soluble components and of PAH and related compounds. Phenol, which was found in all four foundry samples, was present in the highest concentration in emissions from urethane molds. Shell mold emissions contained the highest levels of 2- and 4-nitrophenol.