The impact of ``de neuvo`` generated dioxins and furans from pulp mills
- Environment Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada). Science Division
In an attempt for environmentally conscious waste recovery, a local pulp and paper mill was burning hog fuel in a waste recovery boiler to reclaim energy. The hog fuel was from ocean-floated logged trees processed at the mill. The wet salt laden bark had both the chloride and the organic content needed for de neuvo generation of dioxins and furans when combusted at low. Dioxins and furans were produced and emitted to the atmosphere. Health impacts assessed from an air quality computer model predicted a negligible effect on the surrounding populace. The applicability of a model was questioned, hence an ambient measurement study was done to assess the ambient concentration of dioxins and furans. Meteorological measurements were taken at two sites and air samples were taken at four sites. The results of this limited study show: periods when the wind source is from the mill that concentrations of dioxins and furans measured are twenty times the EPA action level; there are periods when there is a background stagnation level at about two times the EPA action level; and there appears to be a `true` lower background level. This data implies a need to re-evaluate the applicability of the models used for health assessment, and also, a for ambient concentration data to assess the impacts of emissions from such sources.
- OSTI ID:
- 218418
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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