Combustion of polyvinylchloride - an important source for the formation of PCDD/PCDF

Report is given on the combustion and pyrolysis conditions. The analytical procedure is described. During combustion and pyrolysis of pure polyvinylchloride (PVC) and PVC-cable sheathings in an air atmosphere, PCDD/PCDF are formed in significant amounts up to the ppm range. In general furans were formed predominantly. Especially higher levels of octa- and heptachlorinated furans were generated in the pyrolysis experiments, whereas lower chlorinated furans were produced predominantly by combustion.