Archived: Air Pollutant Emission Inventory report: chapter 2.10

2.10 Dioxins and furans (D/F)

In 2015, emissions of dioxins and furans (D/F) in Canada were approximately 58 grams of toxicity equivalent (gTEQ) (Table 2-12). Incineration and waste sources accounted for the largest share of these emissions (42% or 24 gTEQ), with the waste sector accounting for 36% (21 gTEQ). Transportation and mobile equipment contributed 18% (10 gTEQ) of 2015 D/F emissions, most of which are attributed to marine transportation, with 16% (9.1 gTEQ). Commercial/residential/institutional sources were also significant contributors (15% and 8.6 gTEQ) with home firewood burning contributing 12% (7.0 gTEQ) of 2015 emissions. Ore and mineral industries collectively accounted for 13% (7.3 gTEQ) of 2015 D/F emissions.

Between 1990 and 2015, D/F emissions decreased by 87% (400 gTEQ) (Figure 2-10). This decrease is due to large reductions in emissions from both municipal incineration and other incineration and utilities. Emissions from other incineration and utilities decreased sharply from 1990 to 1991, followed by a consistent decrease until 2000, after which emissions remained small and relatively constant. Emissions from municipal incineration followed a similar trend, with sharp decreases in 1991, 1999 and 2003, followed by a consistent decline for the rest of the time series. Both of these trends can be attributed to the decline in the use of conical burners for municipal waste incineration in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The most significant changes in D/F emissions from 1990 to 2015 include:

• Incineration and waste source emissions: decrease of 93% (320 gTEQ)
  • Municipal incineration: decrease of over 99% (190 gTEQ)
  • Other incineration and utilities: decrease of 100% (130 gTEQ)
  • Waste: decrease of 9% (1.7 gTEQ)

Notes:

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

- denotes no emissions.