Characterization of toxic components in the effluents from a refuse-fired incinerator

Abstract Samples of stack effluents collected during July and August 1979 from a RDF-fueled incinerator have been analyzed for chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) and chlorodibenzofurans (CDFs). Using ultrasensitive, highly specific analytical methodology developed in this laboratory, CDDs, in particular, tetra-chlorodi-benzo-p-dioxins (TCDDs), and CDFs were readily quantitated in extracts of the effluent samples. More elaborate analyses were accomplished in order to determine the concentrations of individual TCDD isomers in the samples. Most, if not all, of the 22 TCDD isomers are apparently present in the stack effluents, but 1,3,6,8-TCDD appears to be the major isomer constitutent.