Properties
- designation for group of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)
- chemically similar chlorinated compounds
- often binds to dust
Main sources
- waste incineration (material containing chlorine)
- private, illegal waste incineration
Thresholds for the reporting requirement of facilities in accordance with Annex 2 PRTRO
(Ordinance on the Register relating to Pollutant Release and the Transfer of Waste and of Pollutants in Waste Water)
- Air 0,001 kg/year
- Water 0,001 kg/year
- Soil 0,001 kg/year
Impacts
- highly toxic to humans and animals
- carcinogenic
- moderately embryotoxic
- promotes tumours
- at chronic levels, damages the liver and harms the reproductive system and development of humans and animals
- high doses cause skin damage (chloracne)
- accumulates in the food chain (breast milk)
Measures
- exhaust gas treatment at municipal incineration installations
- enforcement of the ban on illegal waste incineration
Status and changes
The emissions have been reduced by around 90% since the 1990s.
