Dioxin and PVC in Hospitals

[charlie.cray@green2.greenpeace.org]

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Original-TO:      dioxin-l@essential.org
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to: Dioxin Heads
fr: Charlie Cray
 
The following is the synopsis from a new article published in the
July/August issue of Public Health Reports, the Journal of the
U.S. Public Health Service.
 
"Dioxin Prevention and Medical Waste Incinerators"
by Joe Thornton, Michael McCally, MD, PhD, Peter Orris, MD MPH
and Jack Weinberg
 
Synopsis
 
Chlorinated dioxins and related compounds are extremely potent
toxic substances producing effects in humans and animals at
extremely low doses.  Because these compounds are persistent in
the environment and accumulate in the food chain, they are now
distributed globally, and every member of the human population is
exposed to them, primarily through the food supply and mother's
milk.  An emerging body of information suggests that dioxin
contamination has reached a level that may pose a large-scale,
long-term public health risk.  Of particular concern are dioxin's
effects on reproduction, development, immune system function, and
carcinogenesis.
 
Medical waste incineration is a major source of dioxins. 
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, as the dominant source of
organically bound chlorine in the medical waste stream, is the
primary cause of "iatrogenic" dioxin produced by the incineration
of medical wastes.  Health professionals have a responsibility to
work to reduce dioxin exposure from medical sources.  Health care
institutions should implement policies to reduce the use of PVC
plastics, thus achieving major reductions in medically related
dioxin formation.
 

-end- of synopsis
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