Dioxin emissions from thermal waste management in Medellín, Colombia: Present regulation status and preliminary results

Preliminary results of a study undertaken to characterize dioxin and furan releases from waste incineration plants operating in Medellín–Colombia are presented. Emission and fly ash samples were collected from representative plants burning medical and industrial residues to characterize PCDD/PCDF levels. Analyses were carried out following European standards for stationary gas emissions EN-1948:1996 and US EPA 1613 (fly ashes). Final extracts were analyzed by both high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC–HRMS) and high resolution gas chromatography coupled to ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (HRGC–ITMS/MS). Preliminary results revealed emission levels of 1–30.3 ng I-TEQ/Nm3 depending on whether or not an air pollution control system (APCS) was installed. Fly ashes contained 8.5–68 ng I-TEQ/g. Critical issues that should be addressed in an assessment and in developing waste management plans in Colombia are discussed.