What are dioxins, furans and co-planar PCBs?
Dioxins, furans and co-planar PCBs are toxic substances produced as by-products of various industrial processes, including the combustion of wastes containing polyvinyl chloride (e.g., some plastics, some blood bags and fluid bags). This happens particularly when wastes are incinerated at temperatures lower than 800 degrees Celsius or when the wastes are not completely incinerated. Dioxins, furans, co-planar PCBs and other toxic air pollutants may then be produced as emissions and/or in bottom or fly ash. In some circumstances dioxins and furans can be produced under natural conditions (e.g. volcanic activity and forest fires). Polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are called dioxins, furans and co-planar PCBs, respectively. Amongst the different dioxins and furans, not all have the same toxicity; some are even harmless. Dioxins, furans and co-planar PCBs are persistent substances that do not readily bre
