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Substance Flow Analysis for dioxins in Denmark PrefaceThe issue of dioxins continues to create attention in modern society. Although significant efforts already have been and still are being invested in developing a thorough understanding of the sources and the implications of dioxin, there is still a long way to go. And new knowledge continues to push for further efforts both with respect to developments in our understanding of the toxicological aspects and recognition of new sources for emission to the environment. The objective of this investigation has been to integrate the present knowledge of dioxins related to Denmark into the framework of substance flow analysis, aiming at obtaining a better understanding of the flow of dioxins in society. The objective, furthermore, has been to reconsider the knowledge so far reported from Denmark (reference is made to /Jensen 95 and Jensen 97/) paying respect to the significant amount of knowledge made internationally available during the nineties, and the actual measurements available for Denmark up to the summer of 2000. Thus the report has tried to develop a complete picture – to the extent possible – of the dioxin circulation in Denmark and have inter alia tried to develop estimates for sources like accidental fires and uses of PCP that due to a very high level of uncertainty are often not included in dioxin surveys. The report has been financed by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and has during its preparation been supervised by a steering committee consisting of: Helle Petersen, Danish EPA (Chair) The report has been prepared by: |