Atmospheric deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the vicinity of shredding facilities in Wallonia (Belgium)

In Belgium, 16 shredding facilities manage annually tens of thousands tons of wastes from different origins (endof-life vehicles, electronic waste, electrical transformers, ...). These materials contain hazardous persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The shredding process promotes the production and the emission of dust contaminated by these compounds. The objective of this study is to measure the concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs in fallout dust collected in the vicinity of 3 shredding plants located in Wallonia (French speaking part of Belgium). Samples were collected by using Owen gauges and pollutant levels were measured by GC-MS. The median deposition levels measured for Sigma PCDD/Fs, Sigma dioxin-like PCBs, 5 x Sigma 6 DIN PCBs and PBDE 209 were 1.9 pg TEQ/m(2).day, 4.4 pg TEQ/m(2).day, 246.5 ng/m(2).day and 253.8 ng/m(2).day, respectively. These levels represent high concentrations compared to those observed in most of the remote, rural and urban areas studied around the world and were similar to those measured in other heavily industrialized districts. Consequently, the health effects of this high exposure to pollutants among workers and residents in the vicinity of these shredding facilities are of concern.

Automated summary

In Belgium, 16 shredding facilities manage annually tens of thousands tons of wastes from different origins, containing hazardous persistent organic pollutants. The study found high concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PBDEs in the fallout dust near these facilities, raising concerns about the health effects on workers and residents.