User talk:KadenKnecht/sandbox

BACKGROUND

Dioxins are environmental hazards that have the makings of being highly toxic and can seriously affect multiple systems and organs of human beings (World Health Organization). Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system of humans and animals and can be detrimental to their developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune systems (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences). Endocrine disruptors can cause an overproduction of hormones in the body, such as estrogens, androgens, and thyroid hormones, by mimicking the naturally occurring hormones. Secondly, they can bind to a receptor within a cell and block the endogenous hormone from binding causing the body to respond improperly (Nordqvist, 2017). Lastly, dioxins interfere with the way natural hormone and receptors are made causing the metabolism in the liver to change. Dioxins belong to a group of hazardous substances known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (World Health Organization). The chemical name for dioxin is: 2, 3, 7, 8- tetrachlorodibenzo para dioxin (TCDD) which is the most toxic. “Dioxins” refer to the family of structurally and chemically related polychlorinated dibenzo para dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and certain dioxin-like polychlorinated (PCBs) with related toxic properties. PCDDs and PCDFs are produced unintentionally by human activities or as a result of natural processes and PCBs are manufactured products (Nordqvist, 2017). There are several hundreds of dioxin-related compounds that have been identified and approximately 30 of them have substantial toxicity (World Health Organization). The United States does not use or produce dioxins commercially, and other countries are working to decrease their commercial production of dioxins (Nordqvist, 2017).

SOURCES

Dioxins are found in the environment world-wide (World Health Organization). Soils, sediments, and foods such as dairy products, meat, fish, and shellfish contain the highest concentration of dioxins and plants, water, and air contain the lowest levels of dioxins. More than 90% of human exposure to dioxins is through the animal fats that people consume (Nordqvist, 2017). North Americans typically receive 93% of their dioxin exposure from meat and dairy products with 23% of dioxins consumed through the consumption of milk and dairy alone (Dioxins & Furans). Dioxins released in the air tend to travel long distances. Dioxins released in the water become part of the sediment that is transported by fish and other organisms. Dioxins can come from natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. The primary source of dioxins in the environment is due to industrial processes such as smelting, chlorine bleaching of paper pulp, incineration of solid and hospital waste, and the manufacturing of some herbicides and pesticides which are released into the air as a by-product. Small amounts of dioxins are released into the atmosphere as a byproduct of cigarette smoke (Nordqvist, 2017). The long-term and improper storage of PCB-based waste oils containing large amounts of PCDFs can potentially release dioxin into the atmosphere contaminating the food supply.

DIOXIN EFFECTS ON HUMANS

All humans contain a certain level of dioxins in the body, but usually low dioxin levels do not have an impact on human health. Dioxins remain in the human body for several years and are absorbed and stored in the body’s fatty tissue (World Health Organization). The half-life of dioxins in the body is approximately 7 to 11 years (WHO, Nordqvist). Short-term exposure to high dioxin levels can cause humans to experience skin lesions such as chloracne and patchy darkening of the skin, and abnormal liver function. Long-term exposure to dioxins can damage multiple body systems, primarily the developing nervous system, endocrine, and reproductive system. There are a variety of factors related to dioxin exposure that can impact the health of humans including: the level of exposure, the time of when a person is exposed, the duration that an individual is exposed, and the frequency an individual is exposed (Nordqvist, 2017). Problems associated with dioxin exposure include birth defects, decreased fertility, decreased sperm count, inability to maintain pregnancy, endometriosis, learning disabilities, immune system suppression, lung problems, decreased testosterone levels, ischemic heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), dioxins are human carcinogens and any level of dioxin in the body could potentially lead to cancer (“Dioxins & Furans”). REDUCING DIOXIN EXPOSURE Currently, human dioxin testing is not readily available (Nordqvist, 2017). Therefore, eating a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables and decreasing the amount of intake of animal fats decreases dioxin consumption. Consuming lean meats, fish, and cutting off fat during the preparation of meals reduces the risk of consuming dioxins. Individuals that choose to eat a pure vegan diet are found to have lower blood dioxin levels compared to the general population (Dioxins & Furans). Dioxins are considered hydrophobic indicating that dioxin settles on water bodies and quickly accumulate in fish. Therefore, it is necessary to check dioxin levels with local agencies prior to fishing to reduce dioxin exposure. Additionally, following best practices when burning waste materials decreases the release of pollutants in the air which are more likely to be inhaled or integrated into the food chain.

References

Dioxins and furans: The most toxic chemicals known to science. Retrieved from http://www.ejnet.org/dioxin/

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (31 March 2015). Endocrine Disruptors. Retrieved from http://niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm

Nordqvist, C. (2017). What’s to know about dioxins. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17685.php

World Health Organization (4 October 2016). Dioxins and their effects on human health. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dioxins-and-their-effects-on-human-health

KadenKnecht (talk) 01:06, 25 October 2018 (UTC)Kaden Knecht