An estimation of dioxin emissions in the United States

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Total annual US air emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo‐furans (PCDD/Fs) from all known sources are estimated to be about 400 kilograms as of 1989, almost entirely from combustion sources. Municipal solid waste incineration is the largest known source of PCDD/Fs, as of 1989. The next largest sources include hospital waste incineration, forest and agricultural fires, and residential wood burning. Anthropogenic emissions of PCDD/Fs are estimated to be an order of magnitude greater than emissions of PCDD/Fs from forest fires. Dioxin emissions are shown to generally increase with the chlorine content of the combusted material, in the absence of effective pollution control systems. Dioxin emissions from 1940 and 1970 are also estimated. The estimates are verified through analysis of the concentrations of dioxin in soil, air, and sediments.