Dioxin/Furan Levels an indicator of toxic contaminants in coastal BC

Back

Data for Dioxin/Furan Environmental Indicator Graphs

Sediment Dioxin/Furan Levels at Outfall Sites (TEQ, pg/g)

Crab Hepatopancreas Dioxin/Furan Levels at Outfall Sites (TEQ, pg/g)

Source: Pollution Prevention and Assessment, Environmental Protection, Environment Canada, 2005. Note: since 1999 the monitoring at the Port Mellon and Squamish mills were combined due to non-detectable dioxin in their effluents and the closeness of the mills within Howe Sound. Their monitoring results are now reported under Port Mellon.

Back

Coastal Mill Dioxin Loadings (mg/d 2,3,7,8-TCDD)

Source: Enforcement and Emergencies, Environmental Protection, Environment Canada, 2005. Note: ND denoted non-detectable 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the effluent and * denotes an estimated total loading value. Note also that the total daily loadings in 1989 and 1990 are for 6 mills only as regulation requirements were not in effect. For 1991 to 1993, 9 mills reported as per regulations, for 1994 to 1997, 8 mills reported as one mill no longer uses chlorine and since 1997 7 mills reported as 1 mill closed (Gold River February, 1998). In 1999, all mills reported non-detectable 2,3,7,8-TCDD in their effluent. For that year 1/2 the 2 pg/L detection limit was used and a total dioxin loading of 1.01 mg/d was estimated. Similarly from 2000 to 2003 all mills reported non-detectable 2,3,7,8-TCDD in their effluent. A dioxin loading per day was not calculated for each mills given the 1999 results but a total dioxin loading of 1.00 mg/d was estimated. For a more complete loading history from B.C. pulp mills check Environment Canada's Compliance Reports.

Back