Copy of: PCB's in incineration

[Joseph R Parrish Jr <JoeParrish@compuserve.com>]

Samir,
The PCBs and dioxins are formed when the individual components of 
incineration residues recombine in the stack as the fumes cool.  In 
the presence of chlorine, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, the most 
stable compounds which reform are PCBs and dioxins.  They cannot 
be filtered out in the effluent, and it is essentially impossible to filter
or absorb 
them in the exhaust.  Some reduction can be made by using activated 
carbon dust sprayed in to the exhaust, but their toxicities are so great 
that even a 99 percent reduction is insufficient to render the exhaust 
safe for human breathing, even after mixed with great quantites of 
air.  Hope this is helpful for you.
Joe Parrish
Environmental Watch
New York, NY

Re:
"Hi,

my name is samir. I am working for Srishti a Delhi (india) based NGO. Could
someone tell me how PCB is formed during the process of incineration. 

i know that the PCB molecule has one less oxygen atom when compared to the
dioxin molecule.

my email address is etl@unv.ernet.in
thanks

samir nazareth


c/o Srishti
#1001 Antariksh Bhawan
22, K.G. Marg
New Delhi - 110001
ph: 3328006, 3725325
Fax 4632727"