A contribution to the evolution of the BAT concept in the steelmaking sector

The sector of steelmaking, in the European Union, is considered today one of the major potential contributors to the atmospheric release and consequent deposition of dioxin. The emissions of a plant depend on many factors: characteristics of the input, process, prevention and removal of dioxin from the gaseous stream. The local impact depends also on the different emission path, namely diffused emissions, secondary emissions and conveyed gases, as each stream can be related to a different way of dilution into the atmosphere. Moreover, the local impact is also related to the meteorological conditions. The high variability of parameters that can affect the local impact from a plant can be analyzed through the deployment of deposimeters, in order to understand the human exposure in the surroundings. The present paper refers to an Italian case-study where deposition was measured using deposimeters placed in sites identified by means of the results of a dispersion model. The role of particulate matter emissions was studied also with an optical particle counter. The obtained values are discussed taking into account seasonality and operation of the plant. Some considerations on the potential evolution of this industrial sector beyond the present concept of best available technology are included too.