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Abstract There is great concern about decreasing the amounts of polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) that are formed and emitted during the chlorine bleaching of pulp. The formation of PCDD/Fs during non-woodpulp chlorine bleaching was investigated in the study described here. Wheat straw was separated into three components, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Chlorination experiments were performed, and lignin and hemicellulose contributed more than cellulose to PCDD/F formation when the pulp was bleached using chlorine. The chemical components of lignin were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, and nine possible PCDD/F precursors were quantified by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Spiked chlorination experiments were performed to investigate the effects of these compounds on PCDD/F formation. 4-Ethyl-2-methoxyphenol had the strongest effect on PCDD/F formation, followed by p -chlorophenol, and guaiacol. All the test compounds promoted polychlorinated dibenzofuran formation but had limited effects on polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxin formation. The results allowed mechanisms for the formation of PCDD/Fs from phenol, chlorophenol, catechol, and guaiacol to be proposed. Highlights • The formation of PCDD/Fs during non-wood pulp chlorine bleaching was investigated. • Lignin and hemicellulose contributed more than cellulose to PCDD/F formation. • Spiked chlorination experiments were performed. • Formation mechanisms of PCDD/Fs were proposed of possible precursor compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern-day paper industry is highly capital-intensive industries in the core sector. Though there are several uses of paper for currency, packaging, education, information, communication, trade and hygiene, the flip side of this industry is the impact on the forest resources and other ecosystems which leads to increasing pollution in water and air, influencing several local communities. In the present paper, the authors have tried to explore potential and alternate source of industrial pulp through ruminant animal dung, which is widely available as a rural resource in India. Three types of undigested animal dung fibers from Indigenous cow (IDF), Jersey cow (JDF), and Buffalo (BDF) were taken. Wheat straw (WS) was the main diet of all animals. The cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content for all animal dung samples were found in a range of (29–31.50%), (21–23.50%), and (11–13%), respectively. The abundant holocellulose and low lignin contents are suitable for handmade pulp and paper. Surface characteristics of fodder (WS) and all dung fibers have been investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and SEM-Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). To increase paper production without damaging forest cover, it is essential to explore unconventional natural resources, such as dung fiber, which have the huge potential to produce pulp and paper, reinforcement components, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]