Dioxin

Dioxin is a term referring to a group of chemical compounds that are primarily by-products of industrial processes but can also result from natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. Dioxins are found throughout the world in the environment and they accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals.

Overview

Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer. Due to the omnipresence of dioxins, all people have background exposure, which is not expected to affect human health. However, due to the highly toxic potential, efforts need to be undertaken to reduce current background exposure.

Types of Dioxins

There are 75 different dioxins, of which 17 are considered to be of significant toxicity, with TCDD being the most toxic.

Exposure to Dioxins

Most of our exposure to dioxins is through the food supply, particularly meat, dairy, fish and shellfish. Dioxins are also passed from mother to fetus and through breast milk.

Health Effects

Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system, and can interfere with hormones.

Prevention and Control

Prevention or reduction of human exposure is best done via source-directed measures i.e. strict control of industrial processes to reduce formation of dioxins as much as possible.

See Also

• Chemical Compounds
• TCDD
• Cancer
• Reproductive Health
• Immune System
• Hormones