Exposures

Dioxins

What it is: Dioxins are a group of some of the most toxic man-made chemicals in the world. Dioxin itself is the most harmful of them all to which the toxicity all other "dioxins" are measured. They are produced mainly by burning plastics which contain chlorine, burning household waste, and by chlorine paper bleaching. Its infamy began as the toxic chemical used in the plant-killer Agent Orange used in Vietnam. Some of the dioxins in the world come naturally as a result of forest fires and other natural fires. However, much of it is placed in the environment by industry.

Where it is: Dioxins are found just about everywhere in the environment. They are spewed out of incinerators and smoke stacks, fly around in the air and eventually settle on the ground, in the water and on the food that our livestock eat. Dioxins do not decompose readily and are eaten by our beef and dairy cattle in feeds and foraging areas. The poisons are then stored in the animals' fatty tissue.

How we're exposed: Our primary exposure (about 95%) to dioxins is by eating them in the fat of meats, dairy products, and fish we consume. We may be exposed by breathing them as well.

The damage it causes: Dioxin is a known carcinogen. That means it has been proven to cause cancer. In addition to that it has been linked to severe birth defects, developmental and learning disabilities, hormone disruption, immune system and reproductive disruption. Acute exposure causes a skin disease called chloracne, an acne-like problem which can last for years.

In adults: The levels of dioxins in adults accumulate in the body. Scientists are sure that acute dioxin exposures have adverse affects like cancer, reproductive and immune system disruption. Research is still going on for long term dietary exposure.

In children: Children are at a higher risk for both ingesting dioxins and being affected adversely. Their diets usually have a higher concentration of animal fat in the form of dairy products. Exposure can cause IQ defects, withdrawn and depressed behavior, and an increase in hyperactivity and attention problems.

In babies born and unborn: Unborn children are most acutely affected by exposure to dioxins. This is due to their high toxicity and the critical development a fetus undergoes. Many of the effects mentioned above for children occur in exposed newborns. Serious birth defects have been occurring in Vietnam, scientists believe, as a result of the use of Agent Orange.

Flame Retardants - PBDE

What it is: PDBE stands for a group of chemicals called polybrominated diethyl ether. It is chemically similar to PCBs. These similarities raise concerns because PCBs have been banned from production decades ago due to its proven human toxicity. The main differences between the two chemical groups are that PBDE’s contain bromine where PCBs have chlorine, and unlike PCBs, PBDE’s are not chemically bound to plastic. What this means is that it is not necessary to burn or chemically change the PBDE containing product in order for it to get into the environment.

Where it is: PBDE is a chemical commonly used as a foam flame retardant among such items as cushions in sofas and car seats, and to coat some clothing. It is also used in the plastics of televisions, computers, and other electronic equipment. Since it not bound to plastics, it can enter the environment much more easily, sometimes directly through evaporation. PBDE’s accumulate in the fat of fish, animals, and humans. It bioaccumulates, meaning it does not easily decompose in the environment or in the body. Large amounts of the chemical enters the environment by the decomposition of discarded sofas and cushions. The cushions break down to dust quickly in the weather. The dust disperses the PBDE’s into dirt and water. Eventually it is eaten and stored in the animals we eat.

How we're exposed: Primary human exposure is through eating contaminated fish. Babies are exposed through breast milk since it accumulates in fat and mother's milk. We are also exposed when we breathe vapors indoors around electronic equipment.

The concern right now is that PBDE’s have not been widely recognized by the government as a toxic substance, even though it bears a striking resemblance to the known toxicant PCB, and therefore has few, if any, controls upon its production. That fact, coupled with the fact that industries fight for its positive use as a flame retardant, make it one of the most growing and potentially dangerous chemicals in the environment. Levels have increased 300-400 times in North America since 1978.

The harm it causes: Scientists are hard at work researching the harm it causes in humans. It is a newly examined chemical and there are no benchmarks for what levels of exposure are safe. What is known is that it is extremely similar to other toxicants and that its levels are growing in the environment and in humans. Since it is similar to other toxic chemicals, it is a safe assumption that it too is chemically toxic to humans. Animal studies have indicated results very similar to those of known toxic chemicals.

In adults: Recent research suggests it does accumulate over one's lifetime in fat tissue.

In children: Children are particularly susceptible to exposure because many pajamas and clothing are coated with PBDE’s, and children’s diets have a higher concentration of fat. Preliminary studies indicate such harmful effects as hormone disruption and detriments to brain development.

In babies born and unborn: There have been drastic increases of PBDE’s in human breast milk in the past 30 years. Precautionary action should be used. Since it is a potential health risk we should treat it as such - dangerous. The effects in a developing system is much more drastic than in an adult and include potential harm to the developing brain as well as possible hormone disruption which could lead to unknown results.