Dioxins: Difference between revisions

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'''Dioxins''' are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). They are found throughout the world in the environment and they accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals.
{{Short description|Group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox chemical
| name = Dioxins
| image = Dioxin_structure.svg
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = General structure of dioxins
| IUPAC_name = Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins
| other_names = PCDDs
| section1 =
| section2 =
| section3 =
}}


== Overview ==
'''Dioxins''' are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). They are primarily by-products of various industrial processes but can also result from natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. Dioxins are of concern due to their highly toxic potential and their ability to accumulate in the food chain, primarily 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 and international efforts are being made to limit current emissions of dioxins and related compounds, and to clean up past contamination.
==Chemical Structure and Properties==
Dioxins are part of a group of compounds known as [[polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins]] (PCDDs). The basic structure of dioxins consists of two benzene rings connected by two oxygen atoms, forming a "dioxin" ring. Chlorine atoms can attach to the benzene rings at various positions, leading to the formation of different congeners. There are 75 different dioxin congeners, but the most toxic and well-studied is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).


== Health effects ==
==Sources of Dioxins==
Dioxins are not intentionally produced but are by-products of various industrial processes such as:


Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.
* [[Waste incineration]]
* Chemical manufacturing
* Pulp and paper bleaching
* Metal smelting


== Exposure ==
Natural sources include:


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.
* [[Volcanic eruptions]]
* [[Forest fires]]


== Prevention or reduction of human exposure ==
==Environmental Impact==
Dioxins are highly stable and resistant to environmental degradation, which allows them to persist in the environment for extended periods. They can travel long distances in the atmosphere and deposit on soil and water bodies. Once in the environment, dioxins can enter the food chain, where they bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of animals.


Preventive measures are by far the most effective approach to reduce human exposure to dioxins. Such measures include strict control of industrial processes to reduce formation of dioxins as much as possible.
==Health Effects==
Exposure to dioxins can lead to a range of adverse health effects. The most well-known effect is [[chloracne]], a severe skin disease. Long-term exposure to dioxins is associated with:


== WHO's work on dioxins ==
* Immune system suppression
* Reproductive and developmental problems
* Hormonal disruptions
* Increased risk of certain cancers


WHO is working to promote the sound management of chemicals, and to assess the health risks of dioxins, make recommendations on protecting human health, and provide guidance on methods to achieve safe environments.
The [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) has classified TCDD as a human carcinogen.


[[Category:Chemical Compounds]]
==Regulation and Control==
[[Category:Environmental Health]]
Efforts to control dioxin emissions focus on improving industrial processes to reduce by-product formation and implementing strict regulatory standards. International agreements such as the [[Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants]] aim to eliminate or reduce the release of dioxins and other POPs.
[[Category:Toxicology]]


{{stub}}
==Also see==
{{dictionary-stub1}}
* [[Polychlorinated biphenyls]] (PCBs)
* [[Persistent organic pollutants]] (POPs)
* [[Environmental toxicology]]
* [[Endocrine disruptors]]
 
{{Environmental health}}
{{Toxicology}}
 
[[Category:Environmental toxins]]
[[Category:Organochlorides]]
[[Category:Persistent organic pollutants]]
[[Category:Carcinogens]]

Latest revision as of 19:07, 11 December 2024

Group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants



Dioxins
Dioxin_structure.svg
General structure of dioxins
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider ID
UNII
ChEBI
ChEMBL
Properties
Chemical Formula
Molar Mass
Appearance
Density
Melting Point
Boiling Point
Hazards
GHS Pictograms [[File:|50px]]
GHS Signal Word
GHS Hazard Statements
NFPA 704 [[File:|50px]]
References

Dioxins are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). They are primarily by-products of various industrial processes but can also result from natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. Dioxins are of concern due to their highly toxic potential and their ability to accumulate in the food chain, primarily in the fatty tissue of animals.

Chemical Structure and Properties[edit]

Dioxins are part of a group of compounds known as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs). The basic structure of dioxins consists of two benzene rings connected by two oxygen atoms, forming a "dioxin" ring. Chlorine atoms can attach to the benzene rings at various positions, leading to the formation of different congeners. There are 75 different dioxin congeners, but the most toxic and well-studied is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).

Sources of Dioxins[edit]

Dioxins are not intentionally produced but are by-products of various industrial processes such as:

Natural sources include:

Environmental Impact[edit]

Dioxins are highly stable and resistant to environmental degradation, which allows them to persist in the environment for extended periods. They can travel long distances in the atmosphere and deposit on soil and water bodies. Once in the environment, dioxins can enter the food chain, where they bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of animals.

Health Effects[edit]

Exposure to dioxins can lead to a range of adverse health effects. The most well-known effect is chloracne, a severe skin disease. Long-term exposure to dioxins is associated with:

  • Immune system suppression
  • Reproductive and developmental problems
  • Hormonal disruptions
  • Increased risk of certain cancers

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified TCDD as a human carcinogen.

Regulation and Control[edit]

Efforts to control dioxin emissions focus on improving industrial processes to reduce by-product formation and implementing strict regulatory standards. International agreements such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants aim to eliminate or reduce the release of dioxins and other POPs.

Also see[edit]



Environmental health
General
Hazards
Legislation and Policy
Organizations
Related topics
This Environmental health related article is a stub.



Toxicology
Fields
Concepts
Treatments
Incidents
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