PCDD FS IN SOIL SAMPLES COLLECTED IN THE VICINITY OF A MUNICIPAL SOLID-WASTE INCINERATOR - HUMAN HEALTH RISKS/

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and pol ychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) were determined in soil samples take n from 24 sites in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator (Montcada, Barcelona, Spain). Samples were collected within a radius of 3 km in each of the three main directions of the wind rose in that area. Hepta- and octa-CDDs were the predominant congeners and contribu tors to TEQ. PCDD/F levels ranged from 0.30 to 44.26 ng TEQ/kg (dry ma tter), with median and mean values of 3.52 and 6.91 ng TEQ/kg, respect ively. The highest and lowest PCDD/F concentrations were found at 750 m (44.26 ng TEQ/kg) and 3000 m (0.30 ng TEQ/kg) from the stack, while the PCDD/PCDF ratio was 1.78. The health risk analysis of the data sho ws that the PCDD/F intake from soils is substantially lower than the t olerable daily intake for toxicologic (other than cancer) effects of P CDD/Fs.