Dioxin and waste sector role: an example

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) are considered the most toxic and diffused family of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). For years PCDD/F inventories have pointed out the significant role of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incinerators in the overall/national balances. Nowadays, the newest MSW incineration plants adopt more efficient emission control and abatement systems and their emissions can result lower than other activities. The aim of this paper is the presentation of emission factors in hypothetical case study where a high selective collection is implemented, the residual MSW is treated in a bio-drying plant, the obtained solid recovered fuel is incinerated in a fluid bed. It was taking into account also the presence of other activities: sintering plant, road traffic and domestic biomass heating. PCDD/F emissions have been estimated by the emission factors available in literature.