Observations and assessment relating to incineration of chlorinated chemical wastes

Abstract

Tests have been carried out on the chemical waste incinerator operated by Re-Chem International at Bonnybridge, Scotland, to determine whether any emissions of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) or polychlorodibenzofurans (PODF) occurred during incineration under typical conditions of certain organo-chlorine feedstocks. No detectable emissions of PCDDs or PCDFs were found during the incineration of 2,4,5-I esters, pentachlorophenol residues or PCB in liquid form. A just measurable amount of 2,3,7,8 TCDF was detected during the incineration of large intact capacitors and prior shredding, or puncturing, is preferred. The measured levels of PCDDs and PCDFs in soils collected in the vicinity of the Bonnybridge plant were found to be comparable to or less than those reported in urban or rural environments elsewhere. The reported detection of these compounds in a soil sample collected in 1877 suggests that they may be ubiquitous. It is demonstrated that cows grazing close to the Bonnybridge incinerator are unlikely to have suffered ill-effects from these emissions.