PCDD/F in the paper industry. New results and mass balances

An extensive investigation about the input, formation and fate of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the pulp and paper industry has been carried out. A great number of samples have been taken in 13 pulp and paper mills and about 200 PCDD/F analyses of raw materials, intermediates, final products as well as stock additives, waste waters and sludges were made. In the paper and board manufacturing process no formation of PCDD/F has been found, this statement is also valid for the deinking process of wastepapers. No evaporation of PCDD/F could be observed in the dryer section of the paper machine. The main input of PCDD/F in the production of papers containing only primary fibers is the imported chlorine bleached kraft pulp. PCDD/F mass balances for paper mills producing wastepaper-containing papers and cardboards showed the wastepaper as the main input. In some cases special stock additives are another small source of PCDD/F-input