What are dioxins and PCBs?

Dioxins, furans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the abbreviated names for a family of chemicals that have similar toxicity and shared chemical characteristics. The dioxins and furans are not manufactured or produced intentionally but are created when other chemicals or products are made.

What are PCBs and why are they toxic?

PCBs belong to a broad family of man-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. PCBs were domestically manufactured from 1929 until manufacturing was banned in 1979. They have a range of toxicity and vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids.

Where do dioxins come from?

Dioxins are released into the air from combustion processes such as commercial, municipal or medical waste incineration, from burning fuels (e.g., wood, coal, oil), and burning of household trash.

What does dioxin mean?

Dioxins are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). Dioxins are found throughout the world in the environment and they accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals.

What foods contain PCBs?

Small amounts are found in meat, dairy products and drinking water. Fish are the major dietary sources of PCBs , especially fish caught in contaminated lakes or rivers. Level of PCBs found in fish will vary with region and the type of fish native to that region.

What are the symptoms of PCBs?

Usually there are no immediate symptoms caused by exposure to PCBs, unless it is a massive exposure, such as falling in a tank containing PCBs or ingesting a significant amount of PCBs. In these cases, a worker may experience nausea, vomiting, respiratory irritation (sniffles, cough), and skin irritation (redness).

How do you get PCBs out of your body?

The main PCB elimination routes are through the faeces, urine, and breast milk. Once in the gastrointestinal tract, ingested PCBs diffuse across cell membranes and enter blood vessels and the lymphatic system.

What foods are high in dioxin?

Dioxins are found throughout the world in the environment. The highest levels of these compounds are found in some soils, sediments and food, especially dairy products, meat, fish and shellfish.