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Press Release

Dioxin Emission Inventory

September 27, 2004

Ministry of the Environment compiled the Dioxins Emission Inventory of Japan from 1997 through 2003.

Dioxin emission has been decreasing year by year by 95% between 1997 and 2003. The Basic Guidelines for the Promotion of Measures against Dioxins stipulates that "the total national release of dioxins is to be reduced to approximately by 90 % below 1997 levels within four years from now." Also, the Government Plan to Reduce Dioxin Levels Resulting from Business Activities mandated by the Paragraph 1, Article 33 of the Law Concerning Special Measures against Dioxins stipulates that the reduction targets relating to the estimated amount of dioxin emissions as of the end of FY 2002 (March 31, 2003) shall be 843 to 891 g-TEQ/year (88.2 % to 88.5 % less than the estimated amount of dioxin emissions in 1997). Estimated total emission of dioxins in 2003 is projected to be lower than the above targets, indicating that the target was achieved.

Emission estimation of dioxins, including coplanar PCBs, was conducted using the WHO-TEF (1988), in accordance with the Law.

1.     Selection of sources
Sources that had actually been identified as releasing dioxins into the environment, and sources from which the amounts of dioxins emitted could be estimated.

2.     Estimation years
The Emission Inventory was prepared to show the annual amounts of dioxins released through the year from 1997 through 2003. In cases where new scientific knowledge had become available, the annual amounts of emissions in and before 2002 were revised.

3.     Results of the estimated emission amounts
The results of the estimations were compiled into the Dioxin Emission Inventory (Table and Figure). The amounts of dioxins emitted have been in a downward trend year by year. The emission for 2003 registered 376-404g-TEQ, close to 95% decline from 1997 levels.

4.     Assessment of achievement status of reduction target
Reduction target as of the end of FY 2002 (March 31, 2003) is set in the Basic Guidelines as "the total national release of dioxins is set to be reduced to approximately 90% below 1997 levels within four years from now," while the Reduction Plan states that the total reduction targets are set at 843-891g-TEQ, which is equivalent to 88.2 to 88.5 % less than the estimated amount of dioxin emissions in 1997.


[LINK]
* National Dioxin Emission Inventory
* Changes in Total Emissions of Dioxins
* Government Plan to Reduce Dioxin Levels Resulting from Business Activities
* Basic Guidelines for the Promotion of Measures against Dioxins

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