Archived: Air Pollutant Emission Inventory report: chapter 2.12

2.12 Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)

In 2015, approximately 8.1 kg of HCB were emitted in Canada (Table 2-14). Incineration and waste sources were the largest contributor in 2015 with 62% (5.0 kg) of total emissions, due almost entirely to emissions from the waste sector with 61% (4.9 kg) of HCB emissions. The ore and mineral industries were the second-largest contributor, with 26% (2.1 kg) of total emissions, largely due to iron and steel industries, which represented 14% (1.1 kg) of the national total.

Overall, a 91% (83 kg) decrease in HCB emissions occurred between 1990 and 2015 (Figure 2-12). Most of this decrease is due to a drop in emissions from municipal incineration from 1997 to 2002, followed by further reductions until 2015. This important reduction in emissions is a result of a steady decline in the use of conical burners for municipal waste incineration in Newfoundland and Labrador. Emission reductions were also seen in coal-fired electric power generation from 2000 to 2012 as a result of the phasing out of coal electricity generation in Ontario. HCB emissions from waste remained relatively stable throughout the time series. Starting with the year 2005, emissions of HCB from residential waste burning were included in waste sources, causing a slight increase in emissions.

The most significant changes in HCB emissions from 1990 to 2015 include:

• Incineration and waste emissions: decrease of over 93% (68 kg)
  • Municipal incineration: decrease of over 99% (68 kg)
  • Waste: increase of 8% (0.38 kg)
• Electric power generation (utilities) source emissions: decrease of 95% (10 kg)
  • Coal-fired electricity generation: decrease of 96% (9.9 kg)

Notes:

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

- denotes no emissions.