Dioxins

Often labeled the “most toxic chemical known to man,” dioxins and dioxin-like compounds have been under scrutiny for many years because of their suspected toxicity, persistence in the environment, and potential chronic effects to humans and other organisms. Dioxins are generated as by-products of various combustion and chemical processes. Quantifying these compounds in the environment is key to evaluating sources, exposure levels, and possible associated health risks. For more than 20 years, Battelle has provided dioxin measurements for a variety of clients in industry and the government. High quality, defensible, accurate sampling, analysis and measurements are essential. In addition to standard Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dioxin methods (1613, 8290, 23 and TO9), Battelle develops, evaluates, and optimizes procedures for specific applications and client needs. Battelle also has related capability for low-level analysis of 209 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners using EPA Method 1668, Revision A.

Battelle recently began a project to analyze effluents from Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) and discharges from combined sewer overflow and storm water only systems (CSO/SWO) in the New York/New Jersey Harbor area as part of the New Jersey Toxics Reduction Program. Battelle will provide low-level dioxin, PCB, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and chlorinated pesticide analyses. The data generated from this project will be used to evaluate the importance of the various types of discharges and will lead to a prioritization of actions that could eliminate or reduce the input of these toxic chemicals to the New York/New Jersey Harbor area.

For over 10 years, Battelle has provided dioxin analysis of sediments and bioaccumulation test tissues as one of several chemical analyses used to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers evaluation of dredged material for ocean disposal. Providing data which meet rigid quality control requirements has always been an important component of these analyses.

Battelle has also recently produced dioxin and PCB data on emissions from a sewage sludge incinerator and coal-fired utility boilers to help EPA evaluate the importance of these industries as emission sources. In other air-related activities, Battelle has sampled and analyzed dioxins in ambient air samples to evaluate air quality for municipalities within the vicinity of various incinerators, as well as to evaluate the effects of munitions testing on ambient air quality. Battelle is currently managing the National Dioxin Air Monitoring Network (NDAMN) for the EPA.

In addition to high quality dioxin analytical capabilities, Battelle has provided technical expertise to regulatory and stakeholder groups concerned with dioxin. For the Dioxin Workgroup of the Canada-United States Binational Toxics Strategy, Battelle prepared several reports presenting an overview of the current information regarding dioxin sources and provided direct answers to stakeholder questions concerning dioxin inventories. Battelle has also supplied technical support in the development of guidance documents regarding evaluation of dioxin data packages.

For more information about Battelle’s dioxin capabilities, please contact Mary Schrock at schrock@battelle.org or Karen Tracy at TracyK@battelle.org.