Dioxin

Because of regulatory actions that have been taken by the federal government the dioxin levels that were found in our food supplies and in the environment have been declining over the past three decades. Though because these chemicals are persistent and bioaccumulate many Americans still have significant levels of dioxin in their bodies. Concentrations of dioxins in breast tissue may change dramatically over the span of a women's reproductive life. Data indicates that there is a substantial decrease in the amount of dioxin remaining in a women's breast fat tissue after she has breast-fed, but the chemicals have been passed on to her newborn because of the breast milk.
 * Dioxin** is a group of chemical that are similar in their chemical structure and their toxic effects on the biological tissues. They are formed by the incineration of products that contain PVC, PCBs and other chlorinated compounds as well as from industrial processes that use chlorine and from the combustion of diesel and gasoline. Dioxins break down slowly, with half-lives between 7 and 11 years in people. They accumulate in fat of wildlife and bioaccumulate across the food chain. Dioxins are known human carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. People can become exposed to dioxins primarily through consumption of animal and other food products as well as breast milk. Dioxin enters the food chain when vehicle exhaust or soot from incinerated chlorinated compounds falls on field crops later eaten by farm animals or if it enters waters from which seafood is caught.

Key Facts

 * Dioxins are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants.
 * Dioxins are found throughout the world in the environment and they accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals.
 * More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish. Many national authorities have programmes in place to monitor the food supply.
 * 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 of this class of compounds, efforts need to be undertaken to reduce current background exposure.
 * 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.
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