(BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali ...

Chapter 3
The ‘dioxin’ pattern (mixture of PCDD/PCDF compounds) is specific for the chlor-alkali
industry, compared to other ‘dioxin’ sources. The mixture of PCDD/PCDF congeners found on
contaminated chlor-alkali sites shows a specific pattern dominated by dibenzofurans which is
different to other sources [ 242, Lutz et al. 1991 ], [ 255, Kannan et al. 1998 ], [ 259, Rappe et
al. 1991 ].
Similarly, the pattern of PCN congeners is also specific for contaminated chlor-alkali sites
[ 260, Brack et al. 2003 ], [ 261, Järnberg et al. 1997 ]. When measured in parallel, total PCN
concentrations on contaminated sites usually exceed those of PCBs and PCDDs/PCDFs by up to
one order of magnitude (Table 3.36).
At PCDD/PCDF-contaminated sites, high levels of mercury in soil does not necessarily
correspond with high levels of PCDDs/PCDFs, and vice versa. This means that the mercury
level is not an indicator of the PCDD/PCDF levels [ 243, Stenhammar 2000 ]. [Stenhammar]
3.9 Safety aspects of chlor-alkali plants
{It is proposed to delete this section which is basically a summary of the Seveso II Directive and
issues covered by this Directive do not need to be addressed in the BREF. Instead a section on
emissions from accidents was added under Section 3.4.6.}
WORKING DRAFT IN PROGRESS
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