attach it and where those atoms attach. The most toxic and harmful dioxin is called 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, but it is most often referred to as TCDD or just “dioxin” (What is Dioxin). TCDD is made unintentionally in the process of manufacturing; its primary sources in our environment come from a byproduct of metal smelting, pulp and paper bleaching (Oregon State University), commodities produced from trichlorophenol, forest fires, and low temperature combustion. However, dioxin does not have a use nor a function in our environment (Lerner). They are classified by how many chlorine atoms attach it and where those atoms attach. The most toxic and harmful dioxin is called 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, but it is most often referred to as TCDD or just “dioxin” (What is Dioxin). TCDD is made unintentionally in the process of manufacturing; its primary sources in our environment come from a byproduct of metal smelting, pulp and paper bleaching (Oregon State University), commodities produced from trichlorophenol, forest fires, and low temperature combustion. However, dioxin
does not have a use nor a functionin our environment (Lerner). Dioxin is known as a persistent organic pollutant in our environment (Waite) because “...it is virtually insoluble in water, but highly soluble in fats and oils. This causes it to strongly biomagnify and occur in especially large concentrations in predators at the top of the ecological food web,” (Lerner). The amount of dioxin accumulates throughout the food chain once it sets into the atmosphere, at the top being humans who get dioxin into their body systems through consumption of animal fats (What is Dioxin) and dairy. In the body of a male, there is no way to get rid of dioxin besides the breakdown in its half-life. In females, dioxin can exit the body through the placenta and into the baby and through breast milk. To get rid of the dioxin in the environment, one of the most effective methods is to burn it at high temperatures. People tend to do this through backyard burning, but that actually creates more toxins in the air (Waite).
The damage that this chemical can do through acute exposure is very harmful and potentially deadly. In such cases, some people have gotten various health problems on account of exposure; these health problems range from headaches and stomachaches to severe skin rashes to birth defects and cancer (Waite). However, these extreme effects would be less likely to be seen in the chronic exposure of the chemical through its natural process of bioaccumulation. A lot of what we know now about the harms of dioxin exposure has come from research and seeing the damage it has done in past events such as the chemical spill in Times Beach and the work malfunction in Seveso, Italy(Lerner). Through this inquiry, our
our country has been able to learn from these events and has made improvements to make sure that people’s health aren’t at risk due to TCDD detection. As a matter of fact, “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that people's exposures have declined so much in the past two decades that most people are safe. ‘Today’s findings show that generally, over a person’s lifetime, current exposure to dioxins does not pose a significant health risk,’ EPA officials said” (Cone).
country has been able to learn from these events and has made improvements to make sure that people’s health aren’t at risk due to TCDD detection. As a matter of fact, “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that people's exposures have declined so much in the past two decades that most people are safe. ‘Today’s findings show that generally, over a person’s lifetime, current exposure to dioxins does not pose a significant health risk,’ EPA officials said” (Cone).
Nothing Was the Same
It was as if Times Beach was not Times Beach anymore. The town fell dead. One of the most essential parts of the town was not there to fill it with life and make it new again, the people. Families had to vacate the area after the CDC informed Times Beach that no one could live there. The health of the inhabitants of Times Beach rapidly began to fall poorly. Local officials claimed that virtually every household in Times Beach experienced health disorders as a result of the dioxin contamination ranging from nosebleeds, depression, and chloracne (a severe skin disfigurement) to gene mutations, cancer, and heart disease. In addition, almost all of the residents tested for dioxin contamination by the CDC showed abnormalities in their blood, liver, and kidney functions (Schlager).
Other Incidents that Occurred from Dioxin
Agent Orange:
Agent Orange was a substance used to kill plants during the Vietnam War that consisted of two herbicides, 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D; the 2,4,5-T used to create the agent orange was contaminated with TCDD. The goal of Agent Orange was to oust guerrilla rebels in South Vietnam from their hiding spots in the highlands and densely forested areas of land (Hixson). In 1991, Congress passed a bill providing disabilities to Vietnam veterans suffering from certain illnesses from dioxin exposure. In 1993, the Institute of Medicine reasoned that the exposure to dioxin led to several types of illnesses and skin conditions (Waite). Along with this came severe mutations that occurred in newborn babies of the time period and the increased risk of people having cancer.
"Hazardous Waste Sign”(Gale). Because of the dioxin contamination, the entire town was closed to everyone.
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