The Panteg monitoring project: comparing PCB and dioxin concentrations in the vicinity of industrial facilities

This paper describes the design, implementation and outcome of a research project which investigated concentrations of PCBs and PCDD/DFs (more commonly known as dioxins and furans) in the Panteg district of Pontypool, south Wales. The project was initiated in response to public concerns regarding th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Hazardous Materials 1998-08, Vol.61 (1), p.175-185
Main Authors: Lovett, A.A, Foxall, C.D, Ball, D.J, Creaser, C.S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Applied sciences
Biological and medical sciences
Dioxins
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Exact sciences and technology
Exposure assessment
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Global environmental pollution
Industrial sources
PCBs
Pollution
Terrestrial environment, soil, air
Waste incineration
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Summary:This paper describes the design, implementation and outcome of a research project which investigated concentrations of PCBs and PCDD/DFs (more commonly known as dioxins and furans) in the Panteg district of Pontypool, south Wales. The project was initiated in response to public concerns regarding the operations of a chemical waste incinerator located in the area and was undertaken by a multidisciplinary team based at the University of East Anglia. Sampling was carried out around a number of industrial facilities in the Panteg district and involved a variety of environmental compartments (e.g. soil, grass, air, milk, eggs, poultry and vegetables). The results provided evidence of some unusual environmental contamination in a strip of land 200 m wide around the eastern boundary of the incineration plant. Fugitive emissions from the site appeared to be substantially responsible for this situation and exposure calculations indicated that eggs were potentially the major source of higher PCB and PCDD/DF intakes. Since the start of the project substantial alterations have been made to the incinerator and, overall, the research does seem to have resolved a number of uncertainties and helped to reduce local concerns.
ISSN:0304-3894
1873-3336
DOI:10.1016/S0304-3894(98)00121-6