PCDD/F emissions to atmosphere in the UK and future trends

An emission inventory for the UK has been developed and additional information incorporated. It estimates annual releases between 560 and 1100 g I-TEQ. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incinerators are the dominant source of PCDD/F emissions to atmosphere and are responsible for up to 80% of the inventory. This demonstrates the need for good, reliable data relevant to the type and practices of the industries concerned. Short-term predictions have been made on the basis of planned improvements reducing the atmospheric input to 110 – 350 g I-TEQ per annum. However, the assumptions of unchanged throughput may not prove to be realistic for the longer term hence, for some categories, long-term estimates to the years 2000 and 2005 have been made indicating the type of change that may be occur.