Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are a group of dangerous compounds, emitted mostly from anthropogenic sources, that have negative effects on human health. Therefore, it is interesting to analyze the emission patterns of dioxins proceeding from different sources around the world, to observe the actual trend of the transmission of dioxins and furans into the atmosphere.For that reason, the main objective of the present document is to provide a general assessment about the dioxin problematic, analyzing the main parameters that influence the ambient concentration of dioxins worldwide, and describing the most characteristic features of the fingerprint from different sources, while making emphasis in the importance that non-industrial sources are gaining over the last years in front of the decreasing tendency of industrial sources. The description of the most important abatement technologies for dioxins is also included in this review.Implications: Given the negative effects of dioxins in human health, it is important to depict and locate the main sources of these dangerous compounds. Emissions proceeding from industrial facilities have decreased over the last years; however, other zones where nonindustrial sources used to be relevant contributors do not show the same decreasing tendency because it is more difficult to control this type of emissions. For that reason, future studies should focus on measuring and regulating this highly uncontrolled source of dioxins.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans are a group of aromatic hydrocarbons, emitted mostly from anthropogenic sources, that have negative effects on human health. Chlorine and carbon compounds, in combination with temperature and combustion processes, are the main factors in the production of these products that, depending on their structural configuration and formation conditions, may have higher or lower impact in the environment, along the different phases of emission, ambient distribution, final deposition and absorption. Given their potential negative effect on human health, the importance of gaining better knowledge and analysing emission patterns of dioxins from different sources is critical in order to observe the actual trend of transmission of dioxins around the world and take measures to reduce their emission and minimize their impact in the atmosphere. For these reasons, the main objective of this chapter is to provide a basic outline about the dioxin situation, going briefly through the historical evolution of dioxin emissions in order to understand the change in perception towards this chemical agent, followed by a description of the main sources of these pollutants, as well as the typical emission patterns and the most important factors that can affect ambient distribution. The production and formation of these compounds has been followed by important research on different minimization and abatement technologies, to reduce the formation and emission of dioxins to the atmosphere, in order to meet legal emission standards that become more restrictive over the years.