User's Manual for the Database of Sources of Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the United States: Reference Years 1987 and 1995

This document consists of the user's manual for the Database of Sources of Environmental Releases of Dioxin like Compounds in the United States (EPA/600/C-01/012, March, 2001). This database was developed by EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) to be a repository of congener specific chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (CDD/CDF) emissions data from all known sources in the United States. This document will help those interested in this database to download, install and take advantage of the full functionality of the database. The database contains information that can be analyzed to track emissions of CDD/CDF over time, compare homologue and congener profiles between and among source categories, and develop source specific emission factors that can then be used to develop emission estimates. The information contained in the database is associated with two reference years: 1995 and 1987. CDD/CDF emissions data was extracted from original test reports. The database was designed to accommodate facility based emission data, as well as non facility based sources (e.g., mobile sources such as automobiles, and area sources such as residential wood combustion and open burning of refuse in barrels). Test reports from various State agencies, trade associations, EPA program offices, and EPA regulatory dockets were consolidated and assimilated into the database. Most of the emission data in Version 3.0 of the database concern releases to air because few data are currently available on releases to other media.

In a separate report Sources of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the United States (Part 1, Vol. I not available) (U.S. EPA, 2000), EPA has used the database to develop a national inventory of annual releases from a variety of sources for two reference years: 1987 and 1995. This appears as a Table in the database. The year 1987 was selected because it represents a time period just prior to widespread recognition of CDD/CDF sources and widespread installation of controls to limit CDD/CDF emissions. The year 1995 was selected as the latest year for which reliable activity level data were available for many source categories and also a year which reflected the impact of numerous regulatory and non regulatory efforts to reduce formation and release of dioxin-like compounds.

The structure of the database and the flow of information into and out of the database are described in a User's Manual (PDF file: 419 KB). The National Database was created using Microsoft Excel 97) (hereafter, Excel) in the manner of linked workbooks. However, an operational shell has been added to improve the navigation and selection of data. Neither the operational shell, nor Excel) are required to view the individual Excel) spreadsheets. Users may download the MS Excel) Viewer from the Microsoft web site. However, certain calculations and manipulations of data performed in Excel) may be lost if the database is converted to another software; therefore, any recalculations for the data in the National Database should be performed using Excel). The search capabilities will be lost when using other applications. The Excel) workbooks should be compatible with the Macintosh) version of Excel).

For a more thorough description of instructions please consult the readme.txt file distributed with the software.

The following is a listing of the source categories covered in the database:

It should be noted that the emission factors contained in the database are based on tests of specific facilities on or before 1995. Currently the database is being updated for the year 2000, and will become available in the year 2002.

The Dioxin Source Emissions Database was used in the development of EPA's Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-like Compounds for Reference Years 1987 and 1995. The following table is a summary and comparison of the inventory of dioxin emissions in the United States in units of grams WHO-TEQ (dioxins and furans) in 1987 verses grams WHO-TEQ in 1995. In 1987 all known human source activity (for which reliable estimates could be made) in the U.S. contributed 13,998 grams WHO-TEQ to the environment. By 1995, these same sources contributed 3,255 grams WHO-TEQ to the environment. A comparison between these two reference years indicates a 77% decline in total dioxin (WHO-TEQ) releases.

Inventory of Sources of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the United States
- 1987 and 1995

OBTAINING THE DIOXIN SOURCE DATABASE ON COMPACT DISK

The "Database of Sources of Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the United States", is available on CD-ROM, without cost, from EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) in Cincinnati, Ohio (telephone: 1-800-490-9198, or 513-489-8190; facsimile 513-489-8695). If you are requesting a copy of the CD-ROM, please provide your name, mailing address, and reference the "Dioxin Source Database CD/March 2001" and document number EPA/600/C-01/012.

DOWNLOADING THE DATABASE FROM THIS SITE

For those that have high speed internet connectivity and do not want to wait to receive the CD-ROM of the dioxin source database by mail, EPA is making the entire database downloadable on this site as a series of self-extracting compressed files.

Notice that there are two methods for downloading the database. The first choice is to have a single continuous download of one large (35 MB) compressed file (DIOXINDB.ZIP). This download is only recommended for high speed internet connectivity such as DSL or cable modems. If you prefer this method, download the complete "Dioxin Source Database", otherwise choose the alternative method of downloading a series of three compressed files to your hard drive. Part One (DIOXINDBROOT.ZIP) is approximately 1.2 MB and contains an executable file that provides a navigational shell to allow complete and full usage of this application. Upon full download, when the extraction is initiated, choose a drive or area for extraction and make a directory called "Dioxin_Database" into which to extract the software. The extraction process will create the directory structure and will then populate it with the appropriate elements. For part 2 (Who98tef.zip) and Part 3 (I-TEFs.zip), extract the files into the directory (Dioxin_Database) you created in extracting Part 1 . When all the files have been downloaded and extracted to your hard drive you will then have the complete interactive Database. You are cautioned, however, that the entire set of files will occupy 148 MB when expanded to your hard drive. Alternatively, some computers have additional storage devices such as Iomega Zip and CD-Read/Write drives. To save space on the hard drive of your computer, you may save the dioxin database files to one of these alternative storage media.

• Continuous Download of the Dioxin Source Database (zip file 33.5 MB)
  This option (approximate download time: Cable = 5 minutes; DSL = 10 minutes;
  56K modem = 110 minutes)
  
  
• Download Separate Files of the Inventory of Dioxin Sources Database

  	Inventory Of Dioxin Sources Database, Part I (dbroot.zip)(zip file: 1.2 MB)
  	Inventory Of Dioxin Sources Database, Part II (Who98tef.zip)(zip file: 16.5 MB)
  	Inventory Of Dioxin Sources Database, Part III (I-TEFs.zip) (zip file: 16.5 MB)