Assessment of Dioxin and Furan Emission Levels and Management Practices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

An increase in population and related increased demand for health services, expansion of industries, and increasing transportation demands have increased the emission of dioxin and furan persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This study aimed to identify sources of dioxin and furan emissions, quantify their release into various environmental medias and assess related management practices.

The standard United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) (2005) toolkit guide and default emission factor were used to identify the main anthropogenic sources and to quantify the amount of released dioxin and furan. Stratified random sampling techniques were applied to assess current management practices.

Nine main groups of dioxin and furan emission sources were identified. The emission of each source group was calculated by the activity rate data multiplied by an emission factor. The results found that about 138.85 g toxic equivalent(TEQ)/a(TEQ/year)of dioxin and furan were released to air, water, residue (materials remaining as sludge after sewage treatment or in the form of ash after incineration activity) and soil. Waste disposal activities recorded the largest release of dioxin and furan, accounting for 68.30 g TEQ/a of dioxin and furan to water and residue, 34.00 g TEQ/a to air and 0.64 g TEQ/a emitted into soil.

Several sources of dioxin and furan emission were identified and the present study found that their management is inadequate. Waste disposal services are especially inadequate and generate higher amounts of dioxin and furan gasses. In addition, the organizations that are responsible for the release of dioxin and furan have no awareness of their release and inadequate management practices. The present study points to the need for reformulation of the national legal management framework, adoption of best available technology for disposal services such as incinerators with flue gas management, increasing public and stakeholders' awareness and participation and capacitating the responsible government organizations.