What are the properties of dioxin?
Chlorinated dioxins exist as colorless solids or crystals in the pure state. They have a low solubility in water and a low volatility. Chlorinated dioxins have an affinity for particulates and readily partition to particles in air, water, and soil.
What is the most toxic of the dioxins?
The most studied and most toxic of all dioxins is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. In 2012, EPA released an updated IRIS assessment on this chemical.
What is dioxin made of?
Dioxin is a general name for a large group of chemical compounds with similar structure. These compounds are made up of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and chlorine atoms. The number of the chlorine atoms and their positions in the dioxin molecule are what determines the toxicity of different dioxins.
Why is dioxin toxic?
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.
What type of chemical is dioxin?
The name “dioxins” is often used for the family of structurally and chemically related polychlorinated dibenzo para dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Certain dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with similar toxic properties are also included under the term “dioxins”.
What products contain dioxins?
Fatty foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, egg and their products are the major dietary sources of dioxins. Accidental exposure to large amount of dioxins could lead to the development of chloracne, a skin condition, excessive body hair and other skin lesions such as skin rashes and skin discolouration.
What is polychlorinated dibenzodioxins?
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins. Dioxins occur as by-products in the manufacture of some organochlorides, in the incineration of chlorine-containing substances such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), in the chlorine bleaching of paper, and from natural sources such as volcanoes and forest fires.
What are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)?
Polychlorinated biphenyls – A group of compounds historically used in the manufacture of electrical transformers certain members of which can also contribute to dioxin-like toxicity. These dioxin like compounds are also included in the toxic equivalent scheme when measuring dioxin levels.
What is the structure of dibenzo-1 4-dioxin?
The structure of dibenzo-1,4-dioxin consists of two benzene rings joined by two oxygen bridges. This makes the compound an aromatic di ether. The name dioxin formally refers to the central dioxygenated ring, which is stabilized by the two flanking benzene rings .
What are the health effects of dioxin?
While it has been difficult to establish specific health effects in humans due to the lack of controlled dose experiments, studies in animals have shown that dioxin causes a wide variety of toxic effects. In particular, TCDD has been shown to be teratogenic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic, and hepatotoxic.