European atmospheric emissions of selected persistent organic pollutants, 1970–1995

For the first time, a European historical usage and emission inventory for DDT, HCB, PAH (B[a]P) and dioxins and furans have been approached. This paper presents the estimation methodologies and selected results from the emission inventory, carried out as a part of the EU POPCYCLING-Baltic project. The results indicate a decrease in usage and emissions of all the studied compounds under the investigated time-period. The largest reductions are reported for DDT as a result of national measures introduced in various European countries after the 1970s. The estimated reduction in emissions of PCDD/Fs is 67% from 1970 (24.9 kg I-TEQ/yr) to 1995 (8.3 kg I-TEQ/yr). For B[a]P, the corresponding reduction is 53% from 1970 (1253 t/yr) to 1995 (593 t/yr). Finally, the reduction for HCB emissions was estimated to be 88% from 1970 (192 t/yr) to 1995 (23 t/yr). The decrease in emissions of selected compounds during this period is mainly caused by implementation of abatement equipment to reduce emissions (PCDD/Fs, B[a]P), as well as national measures to reduce pesticide consumption (DDT, HCB). However, it is clearly recognised that the empirical basis for these estimates are limited, due to a limited database of emission factors and relevant activity data. Therefore, it is also considered difficult to quantify the uncertainties at present. Thus, the results presented here are affected by substantial uncertainties that require proper consideration by potential users of these estimates (e.g. modellers, decision makers). It is suggested that further efforts should be directed towards the identification and quantitative analysis of uncertainties of the data presented here.