Dioxin is one of the environmental pollutants. The substance is part of the so-called "dirty dozen." This is a group of major hazardous and persistent organic pollutants. Dioxins in scientists are of particular concern, due to their high toxicity. Experts have confirmed that this particular group of toxic substances acts on a number of human systems and organs. Once in the body, dioxins are able to remain in it for a very long time due to its high chemical resistance, as well as the ability to be absorbed by fatty tissues. It is in them that they are postponed and stored for a long time. The half-life of dioxin in human cells is estimated at 7-10 years. These toxic substances tend to be transmitted along food chains. Moreover, the concentration of dioxins only increases with time.
Sources of dioxin contamination
Dioxins are formed mainly as a result of human industrial activity. In addition, it has been established that they also appear in natural conditions, for example, during volcanic eruptions or during extensive forest fires. Dioxins are included in the list of potent and toxic substances, where they occupy far from the last line. These are by-products of a number of industries, including pulp bleaching and smelting processes, and the chemical industry. This poison is released as a result of pesticides and herbicides.
But the main source of environmental pollution with dioxin is the uncontrolled process of mass burning of garbage. At present, it is not established how much toxic substance enters the atmosphere due to such harmful human activities. To reduce the risks associated with incineration plants, a whole range of measures is being developed aimed at tight control over these processes. Technologies already exist that allow the waste to be burned completely, while dioxins and dioxin-like compounds are released in small concentrations.
But despite all the efforts on the part of ecologists, the spread of toxic substances in the environment is still global. Dioxins are easily found on all continents and almost anywhere in the world. They are found in soils, in the body of animals, in digestive products. Especially often, this poison is detected in fish, shellfish, meat and dairy products. An insignificant concentration of dioxins is in air, water and on plants.
The formation of dioxins is also due to the vast reserves of unused waste industrial oil. Long-term storage of this substance leads to the release of dioxin-like compounds into the environment. Pasture and water pollution occurs. Dioxin enters the body of farm animals, and from there - into meat and dairy products. In many countries, it has long been said that used industrial oil must be treated as hazardous waste and more attention should be paid to its disposal.
Dioxins and the environment
Dioxin is a poison. However, it is very common. It can be seriously argued that it is almost impossible for a person to avoid contact with him. General pollution of air, soil, water does not give a chance to almost anyone. But nevertheless, despite such pessimistic forecasts, it is possible to reduce the intake of dioxins in the body. It is necessary to constantly observe certain hygiene. This gives a well-justified hope that less of this poison will accumulate in the body. Avoid eating foods from environmentally unstable areas. You can not swim in open water, on the banks of which are industrial enterprises, and also live near garbage processing plants and city landfills.
Dioxins in food
Dioxin tends to accumulate in the body of an animal. This substance is practically not excreted and remains in adipose tissue for years. In addition, it is transmitted through the food chain. Therefore, it can be argued that currently one of the most common toxic substances in food is dioxin. Instructions for the use of measures to prevent poisoning with these components primarily recommends a healthy lifestyle and eat natural, mainly plant foods. Plants accumulate dioxin in themselves in much lower concentrations. It is better that vegetables and fruits grow on environmentally sound soils. Certified stores must be preferred in stores.
But dioxins are found not only in animal meat, but also in fish. You can not buy it in natural markets from the hands. The content of hazardous substances is especially high in fish caught in ponds near pulp and paper mills and garbage processing plants. From this point of view, marine species are less toxic. Close attention is paid to "oily" fish. It contains more dioxins. Even expensive red fish grown in adverse environmental conditions can be dangerous.
Dioxin is not just a harmful substance. This poison has accumulated over the years in adipose tissue. It does not decompose during heat treatment. It doesn't matter if the meat is fried in a pan, whether it is stewed in a casserole or baked in a microwave oven - dioxin will not go anywhere.
Dioxins and household waste
Dioxin is primarily a toxic substance that is released in the process of burning garbage from polymeric materials, leaf litter and household waste. In all developed countries in the territory of cities and other settlements it is strictly forbidden to burn foliage. Plants are colossal filters. They contain salts of heavy metals. This is especially true for trees and shrubs growing along highways. Harmful substances penetrate into them and from groundwater. When burning leaves, all these toxic compounds, including dioxins, are released and enter the air.
Cases of dioxin contamination in world history
Many countries are monitoring the amount of a substance such as dioxin in food products that is hazardous to human health. Instructions for the use of measures to control poisoning with this poison contribute to the early detection of pollution, often this helps to prevent large-scale consequences. One such striking example is the discovery in 2004 of high concentrations of harmful compounds in dairy products in the Netherlands. After the investigation, the source of pollution was identified. It turned out to be clay, which is widely used in the manufacture of animal feed. A similar case was recorded in 2006 all in the same Netherlands. But then another source of infection was revealed - fat, which is also part of the feed.
Dioxin is not just on the list of toxic substances found in foods. He occupies the first lines in it. In world history, more widespread cases of the detection of this poison are known. For example, Ireland at the end of 2008 withdrew tons of pork from sale. After samples were taken for verification, it turned out that the amount of dioxin in the meat exceeds the safe level by 200 times. This, of course, led to the fact that all the pork products the country was forced to withdraw from sale. After conducting a study, experts found that hazardous products did not have time to get on the tables of buyers, and the source of pollution was feed. But meanwhile, it made us think about measures to prevent this in the future.
Today, one cannot ignore such a threat as dioxin. The application of international standards to food products is a mandatory point of trade relations. For example, the European Commission issued a health warning for its states in 2007 after a high dioxin content was found in a food supplement known as guar gum, which was widely used as a thickener for meat products and desserts. It is established that low-quality Indian resin served as a source of pollution.
Almost every year, from various countries, there are reports of an excess concentration of dioxin compounds in meat, dairy products, desserts, fish, and even marine delicacies. Most of these signals come from industrialized nations. This is because these countries have developed guidelines for checking products for quality. There is also ongoing monitoring.
Dioxins and their effects on the human body
Short exposure to dioxins can lead to the development of pathological changes in the skin. An example is diseases such as focal darkening and chloracne. The functioning of the liver is also impaired. A prolonged effect on humans of these toxic substances leads to more serious consequences. Immune lesions are observed. Diagnosed with endocrine and nervous system disorders. A person has a decrease in reproductive functions. Also, as a result of prolonged exposure to dioxin, oncological neoplasms develop - cancerous tumors. These toxic compounds are currently classified as a human carcinogen. Its current daily background exposure has no health effects on urban populations. However, due to the high toxic potential of dioxin, certain measures must be taken to reduce its concentration in the environment.
Sensitive Subgroups
The determination of dioxins in the environment is especially important for pregnant women. The group most sensitive to the effects of this poison is newborn babies. Their rapidly developing nervous, endocrine and other organ systems are very vulnerable to the effects of dioxin-like compounds. Children under one year of age living near recycling and waste disposal facilities, as well as landfills, may experience developmental delays, complex pathologies, and cancer.
In addition, the risk group includes the population of some parts of the world where fish and seafood are the main foodstuff. Well, and, of course, workers in landfills, incinerators and the pulp and paper industry.
Dioxin exposure control and prevention
So what really needs to be done to prevent the release of such a dangerous substance as dioxin into the environment? Instructions for the application of garbage disposal methods must stipulate that waste should be disposed of properly. This is the best measure to prevent emissions. It is also necessary to prevent long-term storage at the enterprises of used oils. They should be destroyed as soon as possible. Their burning requires very high temperatures - over 850 degrees. This is one of the problems arising from the disposal of this waste. Unfortunately, there are not always and not everywhere the necessary conditions to destroy large volumes of dioxin-contaminated oils and other materials.
But the best way to reduce the level of influence of dioxin-like substances on humans is to take a set of measures that would focus not on the consequences, but on the source of pollution. An example is strict control over an industrial process to prevent the release of toxic compounds.
Of course, monitoring the activities of factories is extremely important. But do not forget that in almost 90% of cases, food products became the cause of poisoning of people with dioxin. The main threat is dairy and meat products. Also, a high content of hazardous substances is detected in fish and shellfish. It follows that it is necessary to carefully monitor these products for the presence of such poison as dioxin. A test whose reaction indicates the concentration of this substance in the test material should be carried out everywhere. This is critical to protecting people from poisoning. One of the priority areas for reducing the number of products with dioxin identified in them is the elimination of pollution sources.
But these are all preventative measures. As for cases of suspicion of poisoning among the population in cities and towns, action plans should be developed to quickly identify the source, its detention or removal and further disposal. It can be not only food products, but also feed for farm animals. In parallel, the population exposed to dioxin should be examined for pathological consequences. Particular attention is paid to children under three years of age and nursing mothers.
What can a consumer do to reduce the likelihood of exposure to dioxin?
Of course, there are several ways to reduce the likelihood of a dangerous substance like dioxin entering the body. Meat processing instructions will help. It does not matter how the dish is prepared - the meat is cooked or baked. Dioxin will still remain in it, it will not be destroyed by thermal exposure. But it is known that it accumulates more in fatty tissues. And this means that in order to reduce the likelihood of ingestion of dangerous compounds in the body with food, it is enough to cut fat from meat. Dairy products are still easier. The lower their fat content, the more confidence that the concentration of dioxin in them is negligible.
In addition, human nutrition must be balanced. Need to eat more vegetables and fruits. Plants accumulate much less dioxin-like substances in themselves. If you reduce the amount of consumed meat and dairy foods and increase vegetable, then you can minimize the ingestion of hazardous substances. This strategy is especially relevant for pregnant and lactating women. Dioxin is very dangerous for newborns. In their body, the development of the most important systems, such as the nervous, endocrine and reproductive, only occurs. The slightest pathology can be a big problem in the future. In addition, dioxin is a carcinogen. It contributes to the development of cancer.
Detection and measurement of dioxin levels in food and the environment
Dioxin mass poisoning has been detected several times in recent decades. Similar cases have been reported in many countries. Most often, feeds for farm animals and food served as a source. In order to check the amount of a hazardous substance in the environment, highly accurate modern methods are needed. In the world of laboratories capable of conducting such analyzes, there are not so many. Almost all of them are in industrialized countries. The cost of such studies depends on the type of samples. But still, one biological sample will require about two thousand US dollars. This price is too high for third world countries.
Every year, new biological screening methods are developed - based on antibodies and cells. Although the use of all these methods for food products is not yet sufficiently legalized, biological screening nevertheless allows a much larger number of necessary analyzes to be carried out at relatively low financial costs. In the case of a positive result of these studies, it is necessary to conduct more complex and costly chemical analyzes.
In addition to food quality control, certain requirements for incineration plants have also been introduced.
Poisonous Potent Substances
In addition to dioxin, today there is a whole list of potent and toxic substances. These dangerous compounds are used in industry and agriculture. In case of accidental releases, water, soil, air, and plants become infected. Poisonous substances can accumulate in animals and humans. They provoke various diseases, including cancer. The higher the concentration of hazardous chemical compounds, the stronger the damage to tissues and organ systems, while the situation is complicated by the fact that these substances are very difficult and even almost impossible to remove their bodies. They are stored in it for years.
Potent toxic substances are chemical compounds that are highly toxic.Under certain conditions, they can contaminate vast territories under certain conditions, for example, during industrial accidents at chemical plants. This is dangerous because such a situation entails massive poisoning of people. In addition, environmental contamination occurs. To date, the group of toxic chemicals, in addition to changing the metabolism of dioxin, includes chlorine, phosgene, phosphorus trichloride , carbon monoxide, chloropicrin, hydrocyanic acid, sulfur chloride, acrylonitrile, sulfur dioxide, carbon disulfide, ammonia, dimethyl sulfate, ethylene oxide, methyl bromide.