The data are aimed at modelling studies, mass balance studies and for the interpretation of regional and global contamination patterns. The work has been carried out as part of the EU Global SOC project (ENV4-CT97-0638), and is documented in two scientific publications:
Breivik, K., A. Sweetman, J.M. Pacyna and K.C. Jones: Towards a global historical emission inventory for selected PCB congeners - a mass balance approach. 1. Global production and consumption. Science of the Total Environment. Vol. 290, No. 1-3, 181-198.
Breivik, K., A. Sweetman, J.M. Pacyna and K.C. Jones: Towards a global historical emission inventory for selected PCB congeners - a mass balance approach. 2. Emissions. Science of the Total Environment. Vol. 290, No. 1-3, 199-224.
The files are free for download, but any use of these data should refer to the respective publication. Please, also send me an e-mail about your planned use of the data.
Database format
The data are available in the form of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. All the Microsoft Excel files are packaged as .zip files, and you will need software such as WinZip to decompress the files.
The databases contain three different estimates (Default, Maximum and Minimum) for each figure presented. The unit is tonnes in all spreadsheets.
Production
The file Production.zip (32 KB) contains estimates of the total global production of 22 PCB congeners by year (in tonnes). The file includes three separate worksheets, presenting the default, maximum and minimum estimates, respectively.
Consumption
The files ConsumptionDefault.zip (954 KB), ConsumptionMax.zip (938 KB) and ConsumptionMin.zip (926 KB) contain estimates of the annual new consumption / use of each of the 22 PCB congeners by country and year.
Emissions
The files EmissionsDefault.zip (1,511 KB), EmissionsMax.zip (1,508 KB) and EmissionsMin.zip (1,500 KB) contain estimates of the annual emissions of each of the 22 PCB congeners by country and year.
Grid
The data are not available on a grid basis. If this is needed, one option is to utilise the global population distribution database by Dr. Yi-Fan Li (Environment Canada). Using population density as a surrogate, the national consumption or emission data can be presented on a 1° by 1° grid system.
Acknowledgements
This work has been financially supported by the EU research project Global SOC (ENV4-CT97-0638).
Contact: Knut.Breivik@nilu.no