Emission of dioxins from solid waste incineration

Waste incineration arouses much controversy and social protests. A key argument of those who are against building of incineration plants, is the emission of dioxins generated in the process of incineration. On the basis of literature data it can be assumed that dioxins are formed in every thermal process (carried out at the temperature above 200°C), if an organic substance, oxygen and chlorine are in the incineration zone. The mechanism of dioxins generation during incineration is discussed in the paper. It was proven that in good incineration conditions the emission of dioxins could be minimised. The methods for reduction of dioxin emissions known from literature and first results of studies on the catalytic decomposition of dioxins are also presented. It can be stated that at the beginning of the 21st century, the problem of dioxins is no longer so significant as it seemed 10 years ago. Our knowledge on dioxin formation allows us to carry out the process of incineration so that the emission of dioxins be as small as possible and enable their reduction to the level that is not hazardous to man’s health and environment.