Industrial site, dioxin contamination

Other areas containing hazardous wastes that received attention included an industrial site in Woburn, Massachusetts, that had been contaminated by wastes from tanneries, glue-making factories, and chemical companies dating back to about 1850 the Stringfellow Acid Pits near Riverside, California the Valley of the Drums in Kentucky and Times Beach, Missouri, an entire town that was abandoned because of contamination by TCDD (dioxin). 

TCP), and pentachlorophenol (PCP), in order of abundance. Minor amounts of other trichlorophenols and dichlorophenols may also be present, as well as recalcitrant polychlorinated phenoxyphenols (PCPPs) and PCDD/Fs as impurities [75, 76]. In Finland, approximately 30,000 tons of CP products were used between 1934 and 1988, when they were banned because of their potential toxicity to humans and the environment [77, 78]. The careless manufacturing and application of wood preservatives together with the lack of suitable waste disposal caused massive contamination of river sediments and sawmill sites. For example, the river Kymijoki in southern Finland was identified as the largest source of dioxins accumulating in fish in the entire Baltic area. Similar products were used in other European countries, especially Nordic countries with a large forestry industry, such as Sweden [79]. 

Previous production of pentachlorophenol, as well as the bleaching process in pulp and paper mills, has been shown to be a major source. Changes in industrial processes have resulted in a reduction of PCDD/PCDFs concentration in products. Whereas in the past the chemical industry and, to a lesser extent, the pulp and paper industry were considered to be the main sources of PCDD/PCDFs (and also the cause of many of today s contaminated sites in several industrialized countries), today s dioxin input is mainly due to thermal processes. There is still a considerable focus on waste incineration but, owing to requirements for dioxin reduction in stack gases set by several national authorities, the importance of this category has declined during the last years. Examples can be seen especially in the European emission inventories... 

The primary pathways for TCDD exposure appear to be inhalation and ingestion. Eating meat, fish, and dairy products makes up more than 90% of the intake of dioxins. Close proximity to an uncontrolled hazardous waste site or working in industries involved in producing pesticides containing dioxins can be sources of inhalation exposure for the general public and workers alike. Skin exposure can occur through contact with contaminated soils. 

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