Database of Sources of Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the United States

The database contains information that can be analyzed to track emissions of CDD/CDF over time, compare specific 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.

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 may be lost when using any 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 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. The database was updated in 2000, and was originally planned to become available in 2002. It has not yet been updated.

DOWNLOADING THE DATABASE

The entire database is downloadable as a series of self-extracting (Zip) files. When you extract these files name the directory, "Dioxin_Database." The extraction process will re-create the directory structure and populate it appropriately. The completion of this exercise creates your own interactive database. The directory should be about 148 MB in size.

Notice you have two options for downloading the database: You can,

1. Download the complete database (DIOXINDB.ZIP), Complete Dioxin Sources Database (ZIP File: 592 files, 33.5 MB) which may seem like it takes longer due to the size of this file.



2. Or, download three separate smaller zip files:
   • Inventory Of Dioxin Sources Database, Part I (Dioxindbroot.zip file: 8 files, 1.2 MB) contains an executable file that provides a navigational shell to allow complete and full usage of this application.
   • Inventory Of Dioxin Sources Database, Part II (Who98tef.zip file: 290 files, 16.5 MB)
   • Inventory Of Dioxin Sources Database, Part III (I-TEFs.zip file: 292 files, 16.6 MB)

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