Description
Dioxins are a family of chemicals comprising 75 different types of dioxin compounds and 135 related compounds called furans. In addition, twelve of the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) display a related chemical structure and share some of the biological properties of dioxins. For the purposes of this web site, the term “dioxin” includes both dioxins and furans. They are unwanted by-products of industrial processes, usually involving combustion and also occur naturally as a result of backyard burning of household trash and forest/brush fires.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, dioxin and furan emissions to the environment in the U.S. have been reduced by approximately 90 percent between 1987 and 2000, the last year for which data exists. Additionally, global emissions continue to decline. Today, the uncontrolled burning of residential waste and accidental fires at landfills are believed to be among the largest sources of dioxin emissions, globally. People are exposed to dioxin mainly through animal products such as meat, dairy and fish in their diet. While dioxin effects have been reported in some studies, there is no consensus within the scientific community on whether today’s low-level exposures pose a risk of human health effects and we believe that there is a lack of evidence of humans having experienced health effects from low-level exposures. Increasingly, scientific studies have shown that humans are less sensitive to the effects of dioxin than some laboratory animals.
Dioxin from historical emissions also has been part of ongoing discussions with local communities in Mid-Michigan and New Zealand.
Dow's Position
Dow has undertaken considerable efforts to reduce dioxin emissions and actively promotes improvements and solutions across industry. Dow believes any action toward resolving dioxin-related issues should be based on science. We seek science-based solutions that protect human health and the environment, while also contributing to the well-being of the local community. Dow supports corrective action that is specific to a particular site and decisions based on the realistic probability for exposure.
Dow's Actions:
- Since 1995, Dow has reduced its worldwide dioxin emissions to air and water by more than 85%.
- Since 1967, Dow has conducted extensive studies of its employees who have been exposed to dioxins. After almost 40 years of studying employees with high exposures in the workplace, results continue to show no lasting health effects. There has been evidence of chloracne, a skin condition resembling acne, among some highly exposed workers. We seek to publish the results of all our health studies in peer-reviewed scientific journals and more than 200 have been published to date.
- Dow also is funding or supports additional studies that will provide answers to dioxin-related issues. For example, in Mid-Michigan Dow has commissioned a broad array of human health exposure and environmental studies to evaluate the potential impact of dioxins and furans. Specifically, the University of Michigan in 2006 reported the results of a two-year study of dioxin and furan and PCB exposure in the Midland, Michigan area and along the Tittabawassee River downstream from Dow manufacturing operations. Dow provided an unrestricted grant to the University of Michigan to conduct a human dioxin exposure study. To review the findings, please go to www.umdioxin.org. While the results of this study are still being analyzed and reported, the initial findings from this study show little or no relationship between soil levels and levels in people living along the Tittabawassee River and in Midland.
- With the advent of newer scientific tools, including our ability to examine how human genes respond to chemicals, many unanswered questions regarding dioxin toxicity and risk can be explored. Dow has embarked on a research program with these new scientific tools. Dow is collaborating with a number of academic laboratories headed by experts in the area of dioxin and the biological effects of dioxins in humans and laboratory animals. We are currently exploring critical scientific and risk assessment questions related to human sensitivity to dioxins and furans, the accuracy and validity of toxic equivalency factors or TEFs, and we are committed to improving how scientific information is correctly applied in conducting risk assessments for dioxin-related matters. Overall, these studies are directed at the biological properties of dioxins and furans. These studies will be published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature and presented at major scientific meetings as the research is completed. The results from this research will improve the accuracy of conducting risk assessments when humans come into contact with dioxins.
Last Updated: January 2008
For additional Dow information visit:
Background on Dioxin
Mid-Michigan Dioxin/Furan Issue
For additional external resources visit:
Dioxin Facts
Chlorine Chemistry Division (C2) of the American Chemistry Council
U.S. Government Information on Dioxin
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