A preliminary investigation of unintentional POP emissions from thermal wire reclamation at industrial scrap metal recycling parks in China

► Unintentional POP emissions from thermal wire reclamation processes were quantified. ► PCDD/Fs is dominant contributor of total TEQ of investigated unintentional POPs. ► Clear differences in dl-PCB congeners in flue gas were observed between plants. ► Results show that environmental risks are associated with regulated incinerators.