Dioxin emissions to air from waste incineration facilities in the Netherlands, 1989-2000
The upgrading of waste incineration installations has reduced dioxin emissions from this source to virtually zero.
Waste incinerators no longer emit dioxins
In the 1980s, it became clear that waste incineration installations (MSWIs) were a significant source of dioxins. Research into dioxin emissions to air and into the consequences for public health showed that local concentrations of dioxins in cow's milk were too high. It was decided to close a number of small incineration facilities and to equip others with extra gas cleaning equipment. Following these clean-up measures, Dutch waste incineration installations are now the cleanest in the world and dioxin emissions are largely a thing of the past. The main source of dioxins now consists of emissions from wooden outer walls in housing (CCDM, 2004).
References
- CCDM (2004). Datawarehouse Emission Inventory. Emissions 1990, 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague.
- Relevant sections and indicators elsewhere in the Environmental Data Compendium
Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
- Guide to 'Waste management measures' section
- Emissions to air, 1990-2002*
- Environmental costs in the Netherlands by target sector and theme, 1985 - 2002
Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium
- Recent emission data can be viewed in detail on the Datawarehouse Emission Inventory. This site also provides information about the methods for determining emission data and information about changes to methodology.
- VVAV (2004). Jaarverslag 2003, Dutch Waste Processing Association, Utrecht.
