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Dioxins -- An Overview
Dioxins are a group of chemical compounds that share certain similar chemical structures and biological characteristics. There are several hundred of these toxic compounds and each is a member of one of three closely related families: the chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs), chlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs) and certain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In their pure form, dioxins are crystals or colorless solids.
Dioxins were contained in the infamous military defoliant Agent Orange. A defoliant is a chemical sprayed or dusted on plants to cause their leaves to fall off. Agent Orange was used extensively in the Vietnam War and has been shown to cause leukemia, spina bifida, lung cancer, diabetes, and other diseases in Vietnam War veterans and their children.
Exposure to Dioxins
Dioxins are released into the air from combustion processes such as commercial or municipal waste incineration and from burning fuels (like wood, coal, or oil). Even the simple process of burning trash can release these toxic compounds and a small amount of dioxins is contained in cigarette smoke. Chlorine bleaching of pulp and paper, certain types of chemical manufacturing and processing, and other industrial processes all can create small quantities of dioxins.
When released into the air, some dioxins may be transported long distances. When released into waste waters, some dioxins are broken down by sunlight and some evaporate into the air. However most dioxins attach to the soil and settle to the bottom sediment in water. Concentrations of dioxin may build up in the food chain, resulting in measurable dioxin levels in animals.
Eating food -- primarily meat, dairy products, and fish -- makes up more than 90% of the intake of dioxins for the general population. The remaining exposure of dioxins include the following: breathing low levels of dioxin in air; drinking low levels of dioxin in water; skin contact with certain pesticides and herbicides; living near an uncontrolled hazardous waste site containing dioxins or incinerators releasing dioxins; working in industries involved in producing certain pesticides containing dioxins as impurities; and working at paper and pulp mills or operating incinerators.
Dioxin Exposure and Injury to Health
Exposure to dioxins may cause a number of adverse health effects depending on a variety of factors including the level of exposure, when the exposure occurred, and for how long and how often. The most noted health effect in people exposed to large amounts of dioxin is chloracne, a severe skin disease with acne-like sores that occur mainly on the face and upper body. Other effects of dioxin exposure include skin rashes, skin discoloration, excessive body hair, and liver damage. According to ongoing studies, exposure to high levels of dioxins over many years also increases the risk of cancer.
If you believe that you have been exposed to dioxins and have suffered injury, you may have a legal case. If you would like to contact an attorney, please click on the Find Attorney button at the top of the page.
