Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
industries, and were found to be a major dioxin source. In 1995, amendments to <br />the Clean Air Act (CAA) were enacted to control the emissions of dioxins, as well as <br />other toxins, such as mercury, hydrogen chloride and particulate matter. <br />With the implementation of the CAA requirements in the following years, dioxin <br />emissions from WTE decreased significantly, as shown in Figure 5 -1.14 The U.S. EPA <br />has stated that 'Waste -to- Energy is no longer a major contributor of dioxin <br />emissions." <br />Figure 5-1. Dioxin Emissions from WTE Facilities, 1990 — 2005 <br />4,500 4,173 3,998 <br />4,000 — <br />3,500 <br />3,000 <br />CV <br />LLS 2,500 <br />2,000 <br />1,500 <br />UJ 1,000 <br />577 <br />366 <br />500 <br />40.6 12.0 <br />7 <br />0 <br />1990 1993 1996 1999 2000 2005 <br />Year <br />Mercury is another toxin that was found in WTE exhaust and that was addressed in <br />the CAA amendments. By modifications in the burning process and the use of <br />activated carbon injection in the air pollution control system, dioxins and mercury, as <br />well as hydrocarbons and other constituents, have effectively been removed from the <br />gas stream. Mercury emissions from WTE have been reduced from 1990 levels, as <br />shown in Figure 5-2.15 <br />Figure 5-2. Mercury Emission from WTE Facilities, 1990 - 2005 <br />.Toro <br />pl- <br />tz <br />40.0 <br />30.0 <br />LU <br />5 20.0 <br />2 <br />M1011 <br />MR <br />Year <br />05 <br />91TIN <br />14 Emissions from Large MWC Units at MACT Compliance, Docket A-90-45 (Large MWCs), U.S. <br />EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC. <br />Is Ibid. <br />GBB/C08027-01 28 August 15, 2008 <br />