Dioxins and Furans
{{#badges: ToxicSludge}} Dioxins and furans are two very similar groups of polyhalogenated compounds that are well-known toxic and persistent pollutants. Often the term "dioxins" refers to both dioxins and furans. The most well-studied compound is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or TCDD. Dioxin is formed as a by-product of many industrial processes that involve chlorine including waste incineration, chemical and pesticide manufacturing and pulp and paper bleaching.[1] This family includes seven of the polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins (PCDDs) and ten of the polychlorinated dibenzo furans (PCDFs). Another group of chemicals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are also very similar to dioxins and furans.[2] At very low levels, dioxin can change the way cells grow and develop. Scientists claim that one form of dioxin causes cancer in humans. Some other human health effects include reproductive problems and birth defects.[3] Dioxins and furans are both included in Annex C in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which means that "parties must take measures to reduce the unintentional releases of chemicals listed under Annex C with the goal of continuing minimization and, where feasible, ultimate elimination."[4]
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Sources of Dioxins and Furans
According to the EPA, dioxins and furans enter the environment from the incineration of municipal waste and medical waste, secondary copper smelting, forest fires, land application of sewage sludge, cement kilns, coal fired power plants, residential wood burning, chlorine bleaching of wood pulp, and perhaps backyard burning of household waste.[5]
Dioxins in San Francisco Sewage Sludge
San Francisco's Pretreatment Program Semi-Annual Report, covering the third and fourth quarters of 2009, tested San Francisco's sewage sludge from its Southeast and Oceanside plants. The report notes the following levels of dioxins:
- Total Tetradioxin: 30.4ppt at Southeast, 54.7ppt at Oceanside.
- Total Pentadioxin: 250ppt at Southeast, 394ppt at Oceanside.
- Total Hexadioxin: 127ppt at Southeast, 171ppt at Oceanside.
- Total Heptadioxin: 962ppt at Southeast, 1500ppt at Oceanside.
Specific chemicals found were: 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 1,2,3,7,8,9-hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,3,7,8-yetrachlorodibenzofuran, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzofuran, 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-heptachlorodibenzofuran, and octochlorodibenzofuran.
Articles and resources
Related SourceWatch articles
References
- ↑ Dioxin Homepage, EJnet.org website, Accessed July 16, 2010.
- ↑ U.S. EPA, Dioxins and Furans, Accessed August 6, 2010.
- ↑ Dioxin, State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection website, Accessed July 16th, 2010.
- ↑ The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, "What are POPs?", Accessed August 6, 2010
- ↑ U.S. EPA, Dioxins and Furans, Accessed August 6, 2010.
External resources
External articles
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