Dioxin Poisoning: Risks, Origins, and Prevention

[Saint]

is it very poisonous?
how much to kill you?

where does it come from?

how do i ensure i am not exposed to it?

it was used to poison political rival.

 

[chem_tr]

Dioxin and its derivatives are used as a transgenic pesticidal compound, as herbicides; but it is very poisonous and even carcinogen, both short and long term carcinogenity has been determined.

I recommend that you look at http://www.ultrasci.com/catalog.asp?LineID=2&CatID=14&MethID=186 may give you how harmful these chemicals are (these are grouped as dioxin derivatives).

For example, 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (CAS RN: 030746-58-8) is classified as carcinogen: Look for http://www.ultrasci.com/msdsFrame.asp?frmKeywords=RPE-027 for detailed information:

Codes: A-OSHA regulated carcinogen;
B-IARC Group 1 carcinogen;
C-IARC Group 2A carcinogen;
D-IARC Group 2B carcinogen;
E-NTP Group 1 carcinogen;
F-NTP Group 2 carcinogen;
G-SARA Title III compound;
H-California Proposition 65 compound

 

[movies]

Dioxin generally refers to the molecule TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin). It is incredibly toxic to mammals. It has an LD₅₀ of 0.04 mg/kg in mice. For comparison, nicotine has an LD₅₀ of 55 mg/kg. In mice, dioxin is 10,000 times more toxic than cyanide. Cobra venom is about 3 times more toxic than dioxin, but dioxin is 200 times more toxic than rattlesnake venom. I suppose that's enough to give you a reference. I don't have any data on human acute toxicity. Everything I have seen seems to suggest the above numbers are a little misleading in terms of acute human toxicity and TCDD is actually quite a bit less lethal to humans (relatively) although even a small exposure can cause a severe skin disease.

TCDD was found to be a side product in the synthesis of "Agent Orange" during the Viet Nam war and caused a lot of problems, although virtually relationship between this exposure and birth defects has been found in these cases according to a 1974 article.

As if the acute toxicity wasn't enough, there are also a lot of problems with chronic exposure over time, including birth defects and cancer.

Unfortunately for everyone in the world, dioxins are formed by the combustion of organic materials in the presence of chlorides. It is estimated that in the forest in Canada alone, about 130 pounds of dioxins (various isomers) are produced every year. Closer to home, your fireplace produces about 0.4 parts per billion of TCDD.

All in all, it's pretty much impossible to prevent any and all exposure to TCDD, but unless you are working in a chemical plant or something equally hazardous, you'll probably never encounter enough to cause any noticeable health problems.

 

[Saint]

what is the color of dioxin, can be noted by bare eyes?

the vegetables we eat, if contain pesticides on the leaves, does it contain dioxin?

 

[chem_tr]

Yes, it may contain dioxin (or TCDD, this is also another name of this chemical). I strongly recommend that you thoroughly wash all vegetables before consuming. I think this chemical is white. So any white particles on vegetables pose a great danger (it may also be some dust, but don't be relaxed).

 

[movies]

Yes, you should always thoroughly wash any vegetables. TCDD is not absorbed from soil by plants, so washing should be sufficient.