Dioxin is actually a general term used to describe a large group of aromatic (ring-containing) hydrocarbon compounds known to be environmental pollutants. Dioxins are persistent organic pollutants because they take a long time to break down in the environment and therefore accumulate in the food chain. Dioxins are formed as by-products in industrial processes which incorporate chlorine, such as the manufacture of chemical, pesticides, PVC plastics and paper products. Another very common source of dioxins is the burning of municipal waste at waste incineration facilities. Dioxins are highly toxic and carcinogenic, affecting many parts of the human body, including the reproductive and immune systems.
Many local and national governments already have regulations in place to limit the emissions of dioxins from facilities such as waste incinerators. Johnson Matthey honeycomb SCR catalyst and plate SCR catalyst that is installed at waste incinerating facilities to reduce NOx, also significantly reduce dioxins. Johnson Matthey also supplies mixed oxide pellet catalyst that are specially formulated to reduce dioxins and other chlorinated hydrocarbons from industrial exhaust streams.