ABSTRACT
The formation of polychlorinated dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators is now well documented and not controversial. It is interesting to compare the PCDD and the PCDF emissions from MSW incinerators with other energy sources. The identification of lower chlorinated PCDFs like penta-CDFs in pyrolysis of hexachloroethane indicates dechlorination to be an important pathway for the formation of PCDDs and PCDFs. The environmental and human health impact of the emissions of PCDDs and PCDFs from MSW incinerators have been discussed in Umea as well as at other places in Sweden and in other countries. The laboratory pyrolysis of PVC and Saran clearly shows that PVC and other organochlorine polymers can be precursors to the PCDDs and PCDFs found in various incinerators. The chapter discusses some of the data collected so far for various types of incinerators or incineration models.
