PROGRESS IN REDUCING THE TCDD TCDF CONTENT OF EFFLUENTS, PULPS AND WASTE-WATER TREATMENT SLUDGES FROM THE MANUFACTURING OF BLEACHED CHEMICAL PULP/

This report summarizes the data received in response to NCASI's 1996 ' 'Industry-Wide Dioxin Profile'' and data on tissue concentrations in f ish taken downstream from mill discharges. The current survey was the sixth effort to update industry accomplishments since the ''104 Mill S tudy'' in 1988. As of the end of 1996, bleaching export vector TCDD/TC DF contents have been reduced by 94% on a TEQ basis from the 1988 leve l. The few observations above nominal detection limits tend to be from mills that have not supplied new data to NCASI. Current releases are approaching the point where the difference between the estimate and '' non-detect'' levels is hardly quantifiable. The analysis of data on fi sh tissue taken downstream of pulp mill discharges showed an average 2 4% per year decrease, reflecting reductions in effluent loadings. (C)1 998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.