Correlations between polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in soils from western washington¹

Surface soils were sampled as part of an environmental monitoring program in the vicinity of a proposed rotary-kiln municipal waste incinerator. Soils were collected at locations predicted to receive differing particle deposition from the incinerator. Soils collected prior to incinerator operation showed differences in absolute PCDD and PCDF concentrations. However, chemical patterns were quite similar. Concentrations of PCDDs and PCDFs were correlated at sampling sites. Data indicate a consistent source of PCDDs and PCDFs in the vicinity of the incinerator prior to initiation of waste burning. These data will allow assessment of incinerator impacts by monitoring chemical concentration and pattern changes at these sampling sites.