[Terrapreta] Toxicity

[Kevin Chisholm]

Dear Justin

I am not an Organic Chemist, and I hope that someone competent in the field will clarify the matter further.

However, as a brief introduction to "dioxins", see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioxin

Note that "dioxin" has many meanings. Fundamentally, it is  C4H4O2.   However, this basic structure can be chlorinated to yield polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, which are tetra  teratogens, mutagens, and carcinogens. It is therefore VERY important in your research to determine if the reports are for "simple dioxins" or their chlorinated cousins.

I am guessing that C4H4O2 could be common in bio-oils. However, this is NOT the same as the chlorinated dioxins that are so dangerous. 

Clearly, if there is no chlorine or chlorides in the system, then chlorinated dioxins cannot be present.

Best wishes,

Kevin  



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Justin Olsson 
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 3:24 PM
  Subject: [Terrapreta] Toxicity


  To all,

  If anyone knows of any papers on the toxicity of various products of 
  pyrolysis (preferably by feedstock), I would greatly appreciate them.  I 
  have heard that dioxin may be formed under some circumstances, and that 
  bio-oil is very toxic.  I have also heard that bio-oil is almost 
  completely benign, but finding scientific articles discussing this is 
  proving difficult.

  Thanks in advance,

  Justin Olsson

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