Dioxins belong to a group of highly toxic and dangerous chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Dioxins exist as a by-product of industrial processes, like producing fertilizer, but can also be present in the environment as a result of volcanic activity or forest fires which occur naturally.
Dioxins pose a particular threat to human health as they have entered the food chain, largely in the fatty tissue of animals, fish and dairy products. Although dioxins can enter the soil, they are found in plants and water at lower levels than elsewhere. Once in the body, dioxins can be present for long periods of time due to their stable chemical composition and pose risks to human health and ecosystems.
Origin of the term and application
Dioxin was first created in laboratory conditions in 1872 by German chemists, but its toxic nature was not understood at this point. Dioxins produced as a by-product in the manufacture of pesticides was spotlighted after the Vietnam War during which Americans sprayed vast areas of land with the pesticide dubbed “Agent Orange.” They did this to clear areas of jungles that were harboring Viet Cong fighters and providing shelter and food. Unwittingly they released huge quantities of dioxin into the atmosphere, soil and water. Dioxin has since become synonymous with environmental and health concerns related to exposure to these toxic compounds.
