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).
