Canada’s Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory Report 2024: chapter 2.12
2.12 Hexachlorobenzene
In 2022, approximately 4.2 kg of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were emitted in Canada (Table 2–14). Ore and Mineral Industries was the largest contributor, with 78% (3.3 kg) of total emissions, attributed to the Iron and Steel Industry sector, which represented 27% (1.1 kg) of the national total. Within the same source category, the Cement and Concrete Industry and Iron Ore Pelletizing sectors contributed to 19% (0.81 kg) and 17% (0.70 kg), respectively, of the total HCB emissions. Incineration and Waste was the second-largest contributor in 2022 with 16% (0.66 kg) of total HCB emissions.
Overall, HCB emissions decreased by 89% (35 kg) from 1990 to 2022. HCB emissions decreased significantly between 1990 and 2014 and have fluctuated since 2014 (Figure 2–12). Emission reductions were also observed in the Electric Power Generation (Utilities) category between 1990 and 2022 due to reduced HCB emissions reported at several coal plants, as well as plant closures. The overall national HCB decrease is also partly due to a drop in emissions from Waste Incineration since 1998, specifically because of a decline in the use of batch incinerators for municipal waste incineration. For example, the use of conical burners has declined steadily in Newfoundland and Labrador (Newfoundland Municipal Affairs and Environment, 2017). Between 2019 and 2020, Ore and Mineral Industries experienced a decrease in HCB emissions of 39% (1.9 kg), mostly due to a decrease in Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry of 73% (2.0 kg), in part owed to the permanent closure of a non-ferrous metal smelter in December 2019. Overall, HCB emissions have decreased by 52% (4.6 kg) between 2021 and 2022.
The most significant changes in HCB emissions from 1990 to 2022 include:
- Electric Power Generation (Utilities): decrease of 98% (11 kg), with:
- Coal (Electric Power Generation): decrease of 98% (10 kg)
- Incineration and Waste: decrease of 95% (12 kg), with:
- Waste Incineration: decrease of 95% (12 kg)
Figure 2–12: Trends in Canadian HCB Emissions (1990 to 2022)
Long description for Figure 2-12
Figure 2–12 is a stacked area graph displaying the six major contributors to national hexachlorobenzene trends that are: Other, Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry, Waste Incineration, Coal (Electric Power Generation), Cement and Concrete Industry, and Iron and Steel Industry. The figure shows that emissions from all sources decreased significantly between 1990 and 2022. The following table displays the contributions (kg) for the years 1990 to 2022.
| Sector Name | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron and Steel Industry | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.00 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.92 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.84 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.89 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Other | 11 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 1.9 | 10 | 5.5 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 0.82 | 0.67 | 0.48 | 0.34 | 0.51 | 0.48 | 0.70 | 0.55 | 0.65 | 0.64 | 0.54 | 0.55 | 0.53 | 0.41 | 0.65 | 0.86 | 1.1 |
| Cement and Conrete Industry | 1.6 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.88 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.60 | 0.47 | 0.66 | 0.56 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.28 | 0.29 | 0.41 | 0.30 | 0.90 | 0.79 | 0.77 | 0.84 | 0.81 |
| Waste Incineration | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 10.0 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.98 | 0.47 | 0.58 | 0.83 | 0.58 | 0.49 | 0.51 | 0.52 | 5.4 | 0.60 |
| Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 11 | 19 | 6.6 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 4.5 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 0.72 | 0.94 | 0.94 | 0.66 | 0.73 | 0.53 | 0.70 | 0.83 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.72 | 0.37 | 0.42 |
| Coal (Electric Power Generation) | 10 | 9.7 | 10 | 10 | 9.8 | 10 | 9.9 | 9.6 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.20 | 0.19 | 0.24 | 0.43 | 0.43 | 0.36 | 0.30 | 0.26 | 0.20 | 0.19 | 0.16 |
Notes:
Totals may not add up due to rounding.
PAH includes B(a)p, B(b)f, B(k)f, I(1,2,3-cd)p.
0.00 Indicates emissions were truncated due to rounding.
— Indicates no emissions
Table 2-14: National Summary of Annual HCB Emissions
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 5 600 | 5 900 | 8 100 | 2 700 | 3 400 | 4 700 | 2 900 | 3 000 | 3 300 |
| Aluminium Industry | 0.52 | 1.3 | — | 90 | 89 | 90 | 81 | 74 | 93 |
| Asphalt Paving Industry | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cement and Concrete Industry | 1 600 | 2 100 | 880 | 300 | 900 | 790 | 770 | 840 | 810 |
| Foundries | 47 | 490 | — | 190 | 180 | 140 | 110 | 150 | 140 |
| Iron and Steel Industry | 1 200 | 1 000 | 1 600 | 1 100 | 1 100 | 1 000 | 890 | 1 100 | 1 100 |
| Iron Ore Pelletizing | — | — | — | — | — | — | 280 | 450 | 700 |
| Mineral Products Industry | 25 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mining and Rock Quarrying | — | — | 44 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 9.8 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
| Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry | 2 700 | 2 200 | 5 600 | 1 000 | 1 100 | 2 700 | 720 | 370 | 420 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1.3 | 1.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Downstream Oil and Gas Industry | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Upstream Oil and Gas Industry | 1.3 | 1.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 11 000 | 17 000 | 4 100 | 460 | 400 | 310 | 240 | 240 | 220 |
| Coal | 10 000 | 16 000 | 3 900 | 360 | 300 | 260 | 200 | 190 | 160 |
| Diesel | 640 | 1 300 | 170 | 84 | 81 | 47 | 35 | 43 | 53 |
| Landfill Gas | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Natural Gas | 4.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other (Electric Power Generation) | — | 190 | — | 16 | 17 | 8.1 | 4.1 | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 10 000 | 9 800 | 1 400 | 110 | 100 | 67 | 67 | 57 | 36 |
| Abrasives Manufacturing | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bakeries | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Biofuel Production | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chemicals Industry | 680 | 330 | 480 | 0.00 | 0.13 | 0.00 | 2.8 | 0.00 | — |
| Electronics | 0.25 | 0.32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Food Preparation | — | 2.9 | 3.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Glass Manufacturing | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grain Industry | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Metal Fabrication | 260 | 280 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Plastics Manufacturing | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pulp and Paper Industry | 140 | 180 | 310 | 110 | 100 | 67 | 64 | 57 | 36 |
| Textiles | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Manufacturing (Engines, Parts, Assembly, Painting) | 8 900 | 8 500 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wood Products | 340 | 580 | 620 | 0.088 | 0.090 | 0.073 | 0.086 | 0.085 | 0.088 |
| Other (Manufacturing) | 0.00 | 0.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Air Transportation (LTO) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Domestic Marine Navigation, Fishing and Military | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Heavy-Duty Gasoline Vehicles | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Heavy-Duty LPG/NG Vehicles | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Light-Duty Diesel Trucks | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Light-Duty Diesel Vehicles | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Light-Duty Gasoline Trucks | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Light-Duty LPG/NG Trucks | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Light-Duty LPG/NG Vehicles | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Motorcycles | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Off-Road Diesel Vehicles and Equipment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Off-Road Gasoline/LPG/NG Vehicles and Equipment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rail Transportation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tire Wear and Brake Lining | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | 1.0 | 0.82 | 0.78 | 0.60 | 0.49 | 0.47 |
| Agricultural Fuel Combustion | — | — | — | 1.0 | 0.82 | 0.78 | 0.60 | 0.49 | 0.47 |
| Animal Production | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Crop Production | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1.6 | 4.4 | 1.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Commercial and Institutional Fuel Combustion | 0.11 | 3.0 | 0.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Commercial Cooking | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Construction Fuel Combustion | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Home Firewood Burning | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marine Cargo Handling | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Residential Fuel Combustion | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Service Stations | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other (Miscellaneous) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 12 000 | 14 000 | 4 700 | 640 | 540 | 570 | 580 | 5 500 | 660 |
| Crematoriums | 26 | 30 | 35 | 53 | 55 | 56 | 60 | 60 | 63 |
| Waste Incineration | 12 000 | 14 000 | 4 600 | 580 | 490 | 510 | 520 | 5 400 | 600 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | — | 81 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dry Cleaning | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| General Solvent Use | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Printing | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Surface Coatings | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coal Transportation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Construction Operations | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mine Tailings | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Paved Roads | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Unpaved Roads | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Prescribed Burning | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Structural Fires | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ore and Mineral Industry | 5 600 | 5 900 | 8 100 | 2 700 | 3 400 | 4 700 | 2 900 | 3 000 | 3 300 |
| Oil and Gas Industry | 1.3 | 1.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Electric Power Generation (Utilities) | 11 000 | 17 000 | 4 100 | 460 | 400 | 310 | 240 | 240 | 220 |
| Manufacturing | 10 000 | 9 800 | 1 400 | 110 | 100 | 67 | 67 | 57 | 36 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Agriculture | — | — | — | 1.0 | 0.82 | 0.78 | 0.60 | 0.49 | 0.47 |
| Commercial/Residential/Institutional | 1.6 | 4.4 | 1.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Incineration and Waste | 12 000 | 14 000 | 4 700 | 640 | 540 | 570 | 580 | 5 500 | 660 |
| Paints and Solvents | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dust | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Fires | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grand Total | 39 000 | 46 000 | 18 000 | 3 900 | 4 400 | 5 700 | 3 800 | 8 800 | 4 200 |
Note:
Refer to Annex 4.4 for more information on international marine navigation and air transportation reporting emissions.
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Air Transportation (Cruise) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| International Air Transportation (Cruise) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| International Marine Navigation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
References, Chapter 2, 2022 Emissions and Trends
[AB] Government of Alberta. 2018. Methane Emission Reduction Regulation. A.R. 244/2018. [2018 Dec 12].
[BC] British Columbia Government. 2021. Oil and Gas Activities Act - Drilling and Production Regulation.B.C. Reg. 282/2010. [Amended 2021 Mar 4].
[EC] Environment Canada. 2001. Environmental Code of Practice for Integrated Steel Mills – CEPA 1999 Code of Practice..
[ECCC] Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2014. Annual Public Report of Environmental Performance Agreement Concerning Atmospheric Emissions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons between Environment and Climate Change Canada and Rio Tinto Alcan.
[ECCC] Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2017. 2015 Progress report: pollution prevention planning by ase metals smelters and refineries and zinc plants.
[ECCC] Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2018a. Base metal smelters sector: environmental performance agreements overview. Gatineau (QC).
[ECCC] Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2018b. Regulations respecting reduction in the release of methane and certain volatile organic compounds (upstream oil and gas sector) (SOR/2018-66).
Newfoundland Municipal Affairs and Environment. 2017. Solid Waste Management Strategy Performance Monitoring Report.
[SK] Government of Saskatchewan. 2020. The Oil and Gas Emissions Management Regulations (OGEMR) [Amended 2020].
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