Discuss recent research regarding the role of dioxin as a possible causative agent in birth defects, cancer, liver and thymus damage, and immune system suppression in humans.

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Discuss recent research regarding the role of dioxin as a possible causative agent in birth defects, cancer, liver and thymus damage, and immune system suppression in humans.

The term 'dioxin' is given to a class of approximately 419 chemically related compounds, with 30 of these chemicals having a significant toxicity1

Dioxins are an unwanted by-product of many industrial processes including pesticide manufacturing, pulp and paper bleaching and burning plastics.

The most potent and dangerous of these chemicals, 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-para-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD), is listed as a Class-1 carcinogen, which by definition is a known human carcinogen.2

2,3,7,8-TCDD has been found to be a major unwanted contaminant in the herbicide 'Agent Orange' which was used extensively in the Vietnam War. The effects of this is still being felt worldwide today.

Wide ranges of varying effects have been observed with animals exposed to varying levels of dioxins, in particular the dioxin 2,3,7,8-TCDD.

There has been extensive on-going research regarding the effects of dioxins on certain animals to ascertain the integral biochemical factors related to dioxins and their potency in the hope that these effects may be maintained and prevented.

How are we exposed to dioxins?

Dioxin exposure