Advances in dioxin risk management control technologies

An intrinsic element of managing risk exposure to dioxins and related chemicals is to reduce release into the environment. Such efforts include modifying manufacturing processes and/or adding waste reduction and recovery technologies such as producing hexachlorophene from dichlorophenols, modifying pulp and paper mill bleaching processes, and pyrolyzing chlorinated still bottoms for HCl recovery. The identification, testing, and evaluation of treatment technologies that can be employed prior to or as alternatives to land disposal represent a significant effort in risk reduction. Thermal methods such as rotary kiln incineration, infrared heating, fluidized beds, electric pyrolysis, and pyroplasma are detailed together with chemical methods involving potassium polyethylene glycolate (KPEG) reagent UV-photolysis, UV-oxidation, and other methods, including supercritical oxidation and use of modified clays. Finally, waste management options are discussed, which include in situ stabilization solidification/fixation and vitrification, storage in abandoned surface mines, and biological methods.