Dioxins are among most toxic chemicals

[Neil Tangri <ntangri@essential.org>]

Dioxins are among most toxic
                chemicals

                UK: June 10, 1999

                LONDON - Dioxins, the chemicals at the centre of the
                latest European food scare, are among the most toxic
                substances produced by modern industry. 

                Although there are 210 different dioxins and similar
                molecules called furans, only about 17 are toxic. They are
                produced mainly through incineration and by chemical and
                pharmaceutical industries.

                "They have a wide range of toxic effects and are
                carcinogenic. They can effect the reproductive system and
                the immune system as well," said Ruth Stringer, a senior
                research chemist at the Greenpeace research laboratories
                at England's Exeter University.

                The chemicals, produced when chlorinated substances are
                burned in the presence of carbon and oxygen, are released
                into the environment through air pollution, chemical waste
                and soil contamination.

                They can be absorbed through the skin or consumed in
                food. Once in the system, they can cause damage to cells
                and increase the risk of cancer.

                A research study of workers exposed to very high doses of
                a dioxin known as 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin
                (TCDD) found they had a 60 percent greater than average
                chance of dying from cancer.

                Although the Belgian crisis is the one of the biggest cases
                of dioxin contamination in Europe, Stringer said: "This is
                something that happens comparatively frequently."

                Last year, German scientists linked high levels of dioxin in
                milk to imports of Brazilian citrus pulp that had
                contaminated animal feed.

                Farms in Britain and the Netherlands have previously been
                shut down because of dioxin contamination through
                municipal incineration or hazardous waste disposal.

                "In Spain, Japan and Taiwan cooking oil has been
                contaminated which resulted in quite severe effects," said
                Stringer.

                Nearly 450 people suffered skin injuries after an explosion
                at a chemical plant in Seveso, Italy, in 1976 released a
                cloud of smoke containing dioxin.

                A contaminated storage tank is the suspected cause of the
                Belgian food scare. Up to 1,400 Belgian farms may have
                received the contaminated animal feed.

                Because the molecules are so toxic, they are extremely
                difficult to detect in animal feed or foods.

                "You need very skilled technicians and sensitive equipment.
                The standard turnaround time for dioxin analysis is about a
                month. Monitoring these things on a day-to-day basis is not
                very practical," Stringer said.

                "Because it requires such skill, the analysis costs about
                750 pounds ($1,200) per sample and that's part of the
                problem." ($1=.6236 Pound). 

                REUTERS NEWS SERVICE

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Neil TANGRI