Relevance of PCDD/PCDF formation for the evaluation of POPs destruction technologies--review on current status and assessment gaps.
One important criterion for assessment of a POPs destruction technology is the potential formation of new POPs and other toxic by-products, in particular whether the highly toxic PCDDs/PCDFs are formed and under which operation conditions their formation is relevant. For incineration processes the formation mechanisms of PCDDs/PCDFs have been investigated thoroughly and strategies and technologies were developed to minimize their formation and emission. A detailed assessment of non-combustion technologies with respect to PCDD/PCDF formation is, however, lacking to date. A comparison of reaction conditions for PCDD/PCDF formation from precursor formation studies and actual applied conditions of a broad range of POPs destruction technologies in the present paper indicates that the operation conditions for a number of destruction technologies have the potential to generate high concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs if dioxin precursors are present and that also PCDD/PCDF de novo formation can take place. Therefore a strategy and regulations for a more profound assessment and monitoring of the fate of PCDD/PCDF formation and emission is essential for the evaluation of POP destruction technologies and for a sound risk management of POPs. The present paper aims to provide a critical impulse in this respect, discusses the relevant formation pathways with respect to POPs destruction technologies and proposes a basic framework on how evaluations may be performed.
Weber
Roland
R
POPs Environmental Consulting, Ulmenstrasse 3, 73035 Göppingen, Germany. roland.weber10@web.de
D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017745:Incineration / Q000379:methods; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018505:Waste Management
D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins