Toxic substances list: dioxins

Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (dioxins) are highly persistent compounds with a strong affinity for sediments and a high potential for accumulating in biological tissues. They have been found in all compartments of the ecosystem, including: air, water, soil, sediments, animals and foods. Up to the nineties, dioxins and furans entered the environment as complex mixtures from four major sources: commercial chemicals (eg. pentachlorophenol); incineration; pulp and paper mills that use chlorine bleaching; and both accidental fires and spills involving polychlorinated biphenyls. Since then, the implementation of several instruments has been successful in reducing over 80% of dioxins releases in Canada.  Currently, the remaining key sources include conical waste incinerators, open burning and thermal processes in metallurgical sectors. 

For information on Canada's international engagement on this substance, please visit:

• UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

There is more than one CAS number that applies to this group of substances.

Risk Assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Notice concerning the confirmation of  "Track 1 substance" status for Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and Polychlorinated dibenzofurans
• Virtual elimination of the substance (Track 1)under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Source(s)

This substance is entering the environment from the following source(s):

• Forest Products Industry
• Incineration 
• Steel Manufacturing Sector
• Wood Preservation Sector
• Base Metal Smelters
• Great Lakes Trash and Open Burning Website

Risk Management Tool(s)

Tool(s) developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Environmental Code of Practice for Non-Integrated Steel Mills
• Environmental Code of Practice for Integrated Steel Mills
• Canada-Wide Standard for Incineration
• Canada-Wide Standard for Coastal Pulp and Paper Boilers
• Canada-Wide Standard for Iron Sintering
• Canada-Wide Standard for Steel Manufacturing Electric Arc Furnaces
• Canada-Wide Standard for Conical Waste Combustion of Municipal Waste
• Recommendations for the Design and Operation of Wood Preservation Facilities
• Pulp and Paper Mill Defoamer and Wood Chip Regulations
• Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent Chlorinated Dioxins and Furans Regulations
• Notice requiring the preparation and implementation of pollution prevention plans in respect of inorganic arsenic compounds, hexavalent chromium compounds, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and/or hexachlorobenzene used by wood preservation facilities
• PCB Regulations
• Pollution Prevention Planning Notices - Base Metals Smelters and Refineries and Zinc Plants
• Pollution Prevention Planning Notices - Wood Preservation Facilities

Consultation

Consultation (past and present) on the substance:  

• Proposed notice requiring the preparation and implementation of pollution prevention plans in respect of inorganic arsenic compounds, hexavalent chromium compounds, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and/or hexachlorobenzene used by wood preservation facilities (Active Consultation Document until 2005-07-14)
• Notice (DRAFT) requiring the preparation and implementation of pollution prevention plans in respect of inorganic arsenic compounds, hexavalent chromium compounds, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and/or hexachlorobenzene used by wood preservation facilities  
• Response to Comments on the Proposed Notice Requiring the Preparation and Implementation of Pollution Prevention Plans in Respect of Inorganic Arsenic Compounds, Hexavalent Chromium Compounds, Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins, Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans and/or Hexachlorobenzene used by Wood Preservation Facilities . 

Other Information

• Dioxins and Furans Canada-wide Standards: Update on 2006 Reviews [2006-04-28]
• Level of Quantification (LoQ) for releases to soil
• Level of Quantification (LoQ) for Air Emissions
• Dioxins and Furans and Hexachlorobenzene Inventory of releases (January 1999)
• Release Inventory Report (February 2001)  
• Characterization of Organic Compounds from Selected Wood Stoves and Fuels
• National Pollutant Release Inventory-Substance Information
• Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy
• US EPA Dioxins Inventory of Releases (PDF; 172 KB) 
• US EPA Dioxin Reassessment North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation-Draft Phase One North American Regional Action Plan on Dioxins and Furans, and Hexachlorobenzene
• Stockholm Convention on POPs
• LRTAP Convention on POPs
• Northern Contaminants Program
• Arctic Contaminants Action Program
• Canada-Wide Standard Status and  Progress Reports

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3
Telephone: 1-800-567-1999 (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Fax: 819-938-3231
E-mail: substances@ec.gc.ca

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