Contaminated Sites – Cases, Remediation, Risk and Policy

The contemporary scientific discussion regarding PCDD/PCDF sources focuses mainly on thermal emissions (e.g. waste incineration, sinter plants, secondary metal production etc.), however, the history of contamination with dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals is closely related to the chlorine industry and the production of chlorine and chlorinated organics and their application. While the majority of such contamination occurred in the past, contaminated sites and hot spots of POPs are major legacies from this history and, as can be seen from the presentations of this session, remain of contemporary and future interest and relevance. The cases of contaminated site presented from all over the world demonstrates that attention needs to be drawn to tackle a problem of global dimensions, and thereby call for a concerted action of all international stakeholders to work jointly towards sustainable solutions.