Dioxins (‘polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins’) are furans (‘polychlorinated dibenzofurans’) are groups of chemical compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). They have slightly different chemical structures, but they are produced by similar processes and have similar effects. You might also see them called PCDDs, PCDFs, or PCDD/Fs.
They can also result from natural processes. They are found throughout the world in the environment and they accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals.
All people have background exposure to dioxins and furans, which is not expected to affect human health. However, due to the highly toxic potential, efforts are needed to reduce current background exposure.
Dioxins and furans can enter your body through breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. Most exposure to dioxins and furans is from eating contaminated food, particularly animal products. Inhalation exposure is a major route for populations near the facilities utilizing thermal processes (waste incinerations, forest fires, trash burning, uncontrolled landfill fires, smelting industry, titanium dioxide production).
Waste incineration is one of the major sources of dioxins and furans. They are produced by the combustion of chlorine-containing substances and organic matter at high temperatures. Dioxins are furans are present in both the fly ash and the stack emissions.
Dioxins and furans are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and cause cancer.
Exposure to dioxins and furans has been shown to result in a wide range of adverse health effects, including:
They can also result from natural processes. They are found throughout the world in the environment and they accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals.
All people have background exposure to dioxins and furans, which is not expected to affect human health. However, due to the highly toxic potential, efforts are needed to reduce current background exposure.
Dioxins and furans can enter your body through breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. Most exposure to dioxins and furans is from eating contaminated food, particularly animal products. Inhalation exposure is a major route for populations near the facilities utilizing thermal processes (waste incinerations, forest fires, trash burning, uncontrolled landfill fires, smelting industry, titanium dioxide production).
Waste incineration is one of the major sources of dioxins and furans. They are produced by the combustion of chlorine-containing substances and organic matter at high temperatures. Dioxins are furans are present in both the fly ash and the stack emissions.
Dioxins and furans are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and cause cancer.
Exposure to dioxins and furans has been shown to result in a wide range of adverse health effects, including:
- Skin legions, such as chloracne and patchy darkening of the skin
- Altered liver function and liver toxicity
- Changes in hormone levels
- Damage to teeth
- Immune system impairment
- Developmental toxicity
- Reproductive toxicity, including increased infant mortality, decreased birth weight and growth, and impaired lung and heart development
- Wasting syndrome
- Cancer
Dioxins interfere with several biological processes that are key to embryonic and fetal development and are causally linked to poor birth outcomes.
References
[1] World Health Organization, 2023, ‘Dioxins’ Fact Sheet, accessed 10 April 2024, < https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dioxins-and-their-effects-on-human-health>
[2] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2024, ‘Toxicological Profile for Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins’, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
[3] Environment Australia, 1999, ‘Incineration and dioxins: Review of formation processes’, consultancy report prepared by Environmental and Safety Services for Environment Australia, Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra.
[2] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2024, ‘Toxicological Profile for Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins’, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
[3] Environment Australia, 1999, ‘Incineration and dioxins: Review of formation processes’, consultancy report prepared by Environmental and Safety Services for Environment Australia, Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra.
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