EPA study points to health risks of dioxins and similar compounds

Journal Article · Mon May 30 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Chemical and Engineering News; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-v072n044.p013· OSTI ID:7026021

Hanson, D

Nearly three years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency embarked on an all-encompassing, definitive risk assessment of the adverse effects of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. This process is now nearing completion. Overall, the draft chapter concludes that chlorinated dioxins, furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have great potential for causing human and environmental harm. It states that the weight of evidence suggests that dioxins and related compounds are likely to present a cancer hazard to humans. The agency has taken a broad approach in this risk characterization. Much of the impetus for the study came from health concerns over exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of 75 chlorinated dioxins. But there are other chlorinated dioxins that are toxic, and there are similar compounds, such as polychlorinated dibenzofurans and some PCBs, that appear to act by the same mechanism as TCDD. Therefore, EPA lumped all of these compounds together to get a more complete picture of their possible adverse health effects.

• OSTI ID: 7026021
• Journal Information: Chemical and Engineering News; (United States), Journal Name: Chemical and Engineering News; (United States) Vol. 72:22; ISSN 0009-2347; ISSN CENEAR
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BENZOFURANS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DIOXIN
FURANS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MAN
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
PRIMATES
VERTEBRATES