Dioxins Dioxin is the common name used to refer to the chemical 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2, 3, 7, 8-TCDD). Dioxin is one of the most toxic chemicals known CDD and the most studied (Hilgenkamp, 2006, p. 89-90), ("ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs)", 1998). Dioxins in pure form, CDDs are crystals or colorless solids and odorless. The Vietnam War Vets was exposed to another dioxin called Agent Orange that was used as a defoliant, which was a spray that made the leaves fall of the trees. In 1994 the EPA says dioxin is a “serious public health threat” ("ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs)", 1998), (Hilgenkamp, 2006, p. 89-90). Dioxins are found throughout the globe in the environment in the food chain, directly in the fatty tissue of animals ("WHO | Dioxins and their effects on human health, 2010"). The possible sources of exposure There are many ways to be exposed to dioxins by eating beef, pork, chicken, milk, cheese, shell fish and fish; this is more than 90% of the intake of CDDs for the general population. Also, breathing low levels in the air and drinking water. Skin contact with pesticides and herbicides, living near an uncontrolled hazardous waste site containing CDDs or incinerators releasing CDDs. People working in industries that are producing pesticides, working at paper and pulp mills are being exposed to CDDs. They are produced primarily during the incineration or burning of waste; many materials contain chlorine, plastics, wood treated with (PCP), pesticide-treated wastes and even bleached paper can produce CDDs. CDDs are released during combustion of fossil fuels; coal, oil, natural gas and wood. CDDs have been detec... ... middle of paper ... ... has set a limit of 0.00003 micrograms of 2, 3, 7, 8-TCDD per liter of drinking water (0.000003 ug/L). Discharges, spills, or accidental releases of 1 pound or more of 2, 3, 7, 8-TCDD must be reported to EPA ("ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs)", 1998). REFERENCES ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs). (1998, December). Retrieved April 23, 2014, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=361&tid=63 Hilgenkamp, K. (2006). Environmental Toxins and Toxicology. In Environmental health: Ecological perspectives (pp. 89-90). Princeton, N.J: Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic. Welcome. (2010, December 22). Retrieved from http://www.agentorangecanada.com/ WHO | Dioxins and their effects on human health. (2010, May). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs225/en/
Dioxin is a member of the family of organic compounds known as aromatics. Dioxin is the shorthand that refers to a family of polychlorinated dibezodioxins or PCDDs. Their general structure is that of two chlorinated benzene rings joined by two oxygens, hence dioxin. Dioxin is not made intentionally but is usually formed as by-products in many large scale chemical processes such as paper pulp bleaching with chlorine and most significantly, the manufacture of chlorophenol chemicals. This last process is significant not only because it brought dioxin to the current notoriety, but it also is a chemical process used to make products that were used and are still being used in many applications.
New York State Temporary Commission on Dioxin Exposure, Dioxin Agent Orange: Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations. Albany: September 1983.
The reason that this dioxin is so dangerous is that the “dioxin is persistent organic pollutant that is toxic over many decades, is not water-soluble and does not degrade easily. Clinging to soil particles carried by water runoff from spills or sprayed areas downstream into the sediments of lakes or streams; it is consumed by mollusks, fish and waterfowl, easily entering the human food chain.” It is chemically stable and is retained in the human fatty tissue. If it is detected early it can be treated by surgery or medication but usually if it is found to late then it can’t be treated (make agent orange
EPA. (2009, December 29). Retrieved January 15, 2011, from Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children's Health: http://www.epa.gov/teach/
In May of 2014, EPA scientists said that their refusal to changing it is linked to cancer risk. In Europe, they decided that a certain dioxin level is safe, and it is much higher than EPA standards.
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate is one of the most commonly used pesticides in the world. Unfortunately it is also extremely dangerous causing a range of health problems, from difficulty breathing to reduced fertility. It is also thought to cause cancer. ( Cox, 2008)
The dioxin exposure from agent orange wreaked havoc on the health of our veterans that fought in Vietnam. The Aspen institute reports (as cited by The U.S. Institute of Medicine’s report, 2009) there is “sufficient evidence of association between exposure to Agent Orange/dioxin and five illnesses: soft-tissue sarcoma, non Hodgkin 's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (including hairy-cell leukemia), Hodgkin’s disease, and chloracne.” (pg.1) I was flabbergasted that something this volatile would be allowed in something babies would wear almost every moment of their lives until they were potty trained. Unbelievably, dioxin is not the only thing used to make disposables diapers with a well documented history of negative impacts on human
Health effects are prominent in Vietnam veterans but denied by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As reported in the American Legion Magazine, “The defoliant also is believed to have poisoned many people who handled it or passed through sprayed locations. After the war, a conspicuous percentage of veterans contracted various cancers or diabetes, and birth defects occurred at high rate among their children, VA compensation and care were denied (Carroll).” Denial of these severe diseases and unnatural occurrences by the VA could be construed as a cover-up for the government’s mistake or a truthful disconnect of Agent Orange and the diseases. Research has shown, “Dioxin has been found to be a carcinogen associated with Parkinson’s disease,
Hazardous materials come in many forms and include: explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons and radioactive materials. These dangerous substances are usually released during a transportation accident or through accidents or chemical spills in plants and factories. Since hazardous materials are shipped or transported through a variety of ways including l, waterways, and major highways and the release of these chemicals could cause serious harm. They can enter our water ways from oil rig spills or enter the environment from a train derailment or a container truck accident. The affects of a hazardous materials incident can include serious injury or death, serious health effects and property damage and environmental damage including bodies of water.
There are many ways that a person may come in contact with toxins. People are exposed to air toxins through breathing the air, drinking water, food from animals, vegetables and fruits, and soil through ingestion or skin contact (http://www.epa.gov/air/toxicair/newtoxics.html#health). The Environmental Protection Agency does a good job of letting people know how they can be exposed to toxins.
Oroian, Viman Oana I. "Damaging Effects of Overall Water Pollution." BioFlux (2010): 113-15. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are an example of toxic substances, as they are made up of chlorine, carbon, and hydrogen and exude harmful properties such as endocrine disruption, carcinogenic effects, and bioaccumulation in living organisms and the environment/ecosystem. Toxins are chemicals that are produced naturally by living organisms that can be a potential danger to the ecosystem, especially its living populations. An example of a toxin is venom produced by snakes and spiders. It is important to note that toxins and chemicals are not the same. All chemicals are NOT toxins, but all toxins are chemicals. Toxicants are chemicals that enter the environment through anthropogenic activities. Toxicants are often characterized as “man-made.” Herbicides are a good example of a toxicant, as they are harmful chemicals used to eliminate the presence of unwanted plant growth, and are introduced into the environment by humans, usually farmers and agricultural workers. Poisons are chemical substances that can cause harmful effects in the biological system of its host, upon exposure. Again, possible hosts include the environment, humans, plants, animals, and other biotic factors in the ecosystem. All chemicals could potentially become categorized as poisons, as the term
Although toxic chemicals can affect any person of any age, it is certain that children of young ages are much more vulnerable than adults to the chemical pollutants that are harmful. This is due to the rapid development and growing as well as their behavior that includes much hand to mouth activity as well as the tendency to crawl and play in areas that may be contaminated. Young children’s lack of awareness and education about the proper sanitary habits as well as safety, are one of the few reasons they are put at a higher risk than other age groups. It is important to correct or improve toxic chemical issues in today’s world because it is very possible for a child to have serious health damage later on in life when exposed to these pollutants. Many toxic chemicals can be found in homes, schools, places of work and residential areas. Our build environments and many things in it have many sites of hazardous chemical contamination.
Dioxins are a very toxic gas that is released when plastics or household wastes are burned or incinerated. Dioxins can not only cause air pollution, but can also get into soil and water and contaminate it. It also has very harmful health effects on humans.