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:

Figure 2–12: Trends in Canadian HCB Emissions (1990 to 2022)

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.

Figure 2–12: Trends in Canadian HCB Emissions (1990 to 2022) (kg)
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

Table 2-14: National Summary of Annual HCB Emissions

Ore and Mineral Industries (g)
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
Oil and Gas Industry (g)
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
Electric Power Generation (Utilities) (g)
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
Manufacturing (g)
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
Transportation and Mobile Equipment (g)
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
Agriculture (g)
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
Commercial/Residential/Institutional (g)
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)
Incineration and Waste (g)
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
Paints and Solvents (g)
Sector 1990 2000 2005 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total
Dry Cleaning
General Solvent Use
Printing
Surface Coatings
Dust (g)
Sector 1990 2000 2005 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total
Coal Transportation
Construction Operations
Mine Tailings
Paved Roads
Unpaved Roads
Fires (g)
Sector 1990 2000 2005 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total
Prescribed Burning
Structural Fires
Totals (g)
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

Notes:
Totals may not add up due to rounding.
0.00 Indicates emissions were truncated due to rounding.
— Indicates no emissions

Other emissions estimated in the APEI (g)
Sector 1990 2000 2005 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Domestic Air Transportation (Cruise)
International Air Transportation (Cruise)
International Marine Navigation

Note:
Refer to Annex 4.4 for more information on international marine navigation and air transportation reporting emissions.

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) (PDF)[Amended 2020].

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