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CH3041
ON-LINE LECTURE 32
PCBs AND DIOXINS
• PCBs are
more toxic to mammals than
birds. In marine mammals they cause reproductive abnormalities.
birds. In marine mammals they cause reproductive abnormalities.
• PCB contaminated sites are common
around Australia where there were old
transformers because the PCBs are slow to
biodegrade and landfill disposal was used.
around Australia where there were old
transformers because the PCBs are slow to
biodegrade and landfill disposal was used.
• High T incinerator soil disposal > $2000 / t.
Care must
be taken not to generate highly toxic
dioxins and PCDFs.
• When an old incinerator burns municipal
rubbish at T < 1000oC dioxins are formed.
rubbish at T < 1000oC dioxins are formed.
