After an explosion in Leverkusen in western Germany,
authorities are warning that a series of toxins were probably released into the
atmosphere. Locals have been told not to eat fruit and vegetables from their
gardens.
During an explosion at a hazardous waste incineration plant
at Chempark near Leverkusen in western Germany earlier this week, tanks
containing chlorinated solvents burst into flames. The solvents, as well as
greases, waste medicines, tar and other pollutants are usually incinerated at
temperatures of around 1,100 degrees Celsius (2,012 degrees Fahrenheit).
Only when they are incinerated at temperatures of over 850
degrees Celsius can it be ensured that no dioxins, furans, polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain in the
combustion gases.
But if the incineration is not done properly, certain
toxins, which belong to what are known as the dirty dozen of organic
environmental pollutants, can remain or even be produced and then be dispersed
into the atmosphere.
Thus, following this week's explosion, authorities have
warned local residents not to touch any particles of soot or eat any fruit or
vegetables from their gardens.
DW looks into what these different toxins are:
Dioxins and furans
This is a collective term for a group of 75 polychlorinated
dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDD) and 135 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF). One
of the most toxic is the compound 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD),
which is associated with the 1976 Seveso disaster when between one and three
kilograms (between approximately 2.2 and 6.6 pounds) were released into the
surrounding area after an accident at a chemical manufacturing plant in Meda,
not far from the Italian city of Milan. Some 3,300 animals died and there were
about 200 cases of severe chloracne among humans.
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