In-situ X-ray analysis reveals how dioxin forms during waste incineration

Japanese scientists at Kyoto University have recently found that copper plays a significant role in the formation of toxic dioxin during the incineration of urban waste. They measured copper K X-ray absorption spectra for fly ash, and investigated the changes in oxidation number when the temperature was controlled near 300 C, where dioxin is sometimes formed. The data suggest some clear correlation between the existence of cuprous chloride (CuCl) and the formation of dioxin. The experiments were done at beamline BL01B1, SPring-8, Harima, Japan. The scientists presented the results at the 41st Annual Conference on X-Ray Chemical Analysis, Japan held at Fukui Institute for Fundamental Chemistry, Kyoto University. For more information, contact Professor Masaki Takaoka, Kyoto University, phone: +81-75-753-5162, fax: +81-75-753-5170, takaoka@epsehost.env.kyoto-u.ac.jp