Abstract

Dioxins may be produced in combustion and industrial processes in which a chlorine as well as a carbon source are present. The aim of this research was to establish if PCBs are emitted in processes in which dioxin emissions also occur. Of special importance is the relationship between the two emissions. In twenty extracts used previously for dioxin analysis, PCBs were determined in the framework of the analysis in this research. Besides PCBs, similar in structure and toxicity to dioxins, "indicator PCBs" were chosen for analysis. From the results of the analysis a relationship between the emissions of PCBs and dioxins appeared to exist when expressed in toxic equivalents. When the emission was not expressed in toxic equivalents but in mass quantities, no correlation could be shown. The emission of dioxin-like PCBs in the Netherlands can be estimated because of the correlation between the PCB and dioxin emissions expressed in toxic equivalents. This is valid for emissions of PCBs in processes leading to the production of PCBs. Secondary sources, for instance, emissions from materials containing PCBs, are not included in this study.