Dioxin concentrations in Liberec doubled after waste incinerator started work:


Czech Republic | Liberec | Oct 25, 2002



Concentrations of toxic dioxins in atmosphere in Liberec (Czech Republic) increased more than twice when company Termizo started operating of local municipal waste incinerator (1). This can be documented by results of research, so far published only among scientists. "As for the discovered data, to be objective, it was not so bad with the dioxins in Liberec . But the situation became much worse in 1999 due to the incinerator which started its trial operation," said Jindrich Petrlik head of ARNIKA's campaign "Toxic Free Future".

Sudden increase of dioxin concentrations in the air is apparent on a graph (Fig.1), worked out by RECETOX-TOCOEN by processing data from the Regional Public Health Station in Frydek-Mistek.

The increased concentrations of dioxins in atmosphere is usually followed by contamination of a foodchain by these substances. ARNIKA pointed on this concerning analysis of tissue of trout, caught in river Nisa in Liberec, and of soil in city part Liberec- Rochlice (see a press release from 18.4.2002). The same as PCBs and hexachlorbenzen, dioxins are dangerous already in trace concentrations. They harm immunity and hormonal systems and some of them are carcinogenic. Human organism accepts them mostly by consuming contaminated food, to which the chemicals get from atmosphere in 80% of cases. Dioxins emerge for instance as undesired byproduct in chemical processes which include usage of chlorine, or by incineration of chlorinated chemicals (during waste incineration or in metallurgy).

The situation in Liberec is not worst in winter season as it usually is in other Czech towns and cities, on contrary, the highest concentrations were measured in summer. This can be documented by graphs (fig.2 and fig.3), worked out with a use of data published in a study (2), ordered by the Czech Ministry of Environment.

Dioxins are also present as contaminants in ash and slag, mixture of which Termizo wants to sell as a construction material. "If the Czech Republic wants to act in accordance with ratification of Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (3), it should consider elimination of all sources of dioxins. And Liberec incinerator apparently belongs to the most significant pollutants. Instead of incinerators and stockpiles, it is better to prefer waste recycling. It also concerns currently prepared Plan of Waste Management of the Czech Republic, which is to be approved by government at the beginning of 2003," Petrlik summarized what the discovered information mean in terms of its environmental impacts.

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NOTES:

1 - It is apparent that dioxin concentrations in Liberec were under the level of 40 fgTEY/ m3 by June 1998, while according to measurements from 2000-2001 they achieve 80 - 110 fgTEQ/m3. Concentrations measured right in the city are several times higher, compared to the levels measured on the mountain Jested.

2 - Study of appearence of persistent organic pollutants in atmosphere and their deposition on the territory of the Czech Republic, VaV 520/6/99.

3 - The Stockholm Concention banns usage of POPs and orders their elimination (it concerns 8 pesticides including DDT and technical chemicals, i.e. PCBs and hexachlorbenzen and undesired byproducts such as for example dioxins). The Czech Republic ratified the convention and now is preparing implementation plan. New international convention will be valid after it is ratified by the fiftieth state. It was so far ratified by 22 countries.

Jindrich Petrlik








Version: DRAFT 2.0 (June 1, 2006)