ESTIMATION OF THE TOXICITY EQUIVALENTS OF PCDD PCDF MIXTURES FROM COMBUSTION SOURCES WHEN SPECIFIC CONGENER INFORMATION IS LACKING - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS/

In this paper we propose a ''theoretical'' model for estimating TEQ va lues of PCDD+PCDF mixtures which, starting from the experimental value of the PCDD+PCDF concentration (mug/Nm3) and the theoretical value of PCDD and PCDF fingerprints in the emissions from municipal incinerato rs, allows an estimate of the 'dioxin-like' toxicity of the mixtures i n terms of ng TEQ/Nm3. The TEQ values calculated for a number of sampl es are in good agreement with those from experimental data and are mor e conservative. Also taking into account the investment and running co sts, the time and the analytical complexity connected with the determi nation of congeners and single isomer concentrations, it seems that th e proposed ''theoretical'' model can be used as a reasonable tool for estimating the hazard of exposure to a complex mixture of PCDDs/PCDFs emitted from MSW incinerators.