Japan’s waste management policies for dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls |
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Authors: | Hideto Yoshida Kazuaki Takahashi Nobuo Takeda Shin-ichi Sakai |
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Institution: | (1) Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal, Zamkowa 1, 41-803 Zabrze, Poland |
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Abstract: | We summarize the measures taken by the Japanese government to prevent the emission of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) into the environment. Because incineration is the main method of waste management in Japan, reducing the amount of
dioxins emitted from waste incinerators is an essential aspect of proper waste treatment. Intensive measures to prevent the
formation of dioxins at the source have been implemented, with a focus on waste treatment methods and improving comprehensive
management. The efforts have been very successful, with a 95% reduction in the amount of dioxins emitted between 1997 and
2003. The toxicity of PCBs has been monitored with keen interest since the Yusho incident. Unfortunately, treatment facilities
for PCB wastes were not built until long after PCBs had been removed from use, and PCB wastes remained in storage in an untreated
state. The Japanese government has promoted the construction of facilities for treating PCB wastes, and five such facilities
have commenced operations. To more completely eradicate dioxins, a future challenge will be to reduce the amount of PCB-derived
dioxins, which are persistent in the environment and have a long exposure pathway from the environment media to the organism
and the human body. |
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Keywords: | |
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