[Dioxin-l] Nature and halogens

[Ronald Shore]

Some time back there was some discussion of naturally occurring 
halogen-containing organic compounds, and then the topic seemed to fade 
away.

I may have missed mention of it, so excuse any duplication.  But there is a 
paper in Nature (v.403, p. 292) describing coastal salt marshes as 
significant sources of methyl chloride and bromide.  This account adds 
support to the view by some of those who have contributed to the list (but 
seem to have been shouted down) that naturally occurring haloorganic 
materials are not absent in our environment, but rather have been present 
for a long time.  It is too the case that through naturally occurring high 
energy events (eg volcanoes, fires, lightning) and other chemistry 
(atmospheric oxidants, mineral surfaces) they can be converted to a range of 
other substances, most of them benign, but some long lasting and toxic.

Now it is clear that dioxins and related materials are toxic, and that they 
are produced through the combustion of waste.  Accordingly suitable waste 
treatments must be developed, and treatments must be overseen by the proper 
bodies.

But it must be recognized that nature produced these materials long before 
we did, and always will.  The elimination of chloroorganics forever, as some 
have suggested, seems to be an extreme and probably futile route to take.

(I have absolutely no connection to any organization dealing with halogens 
or waste treatment.)

RS



______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com