Dioxin Injury

Dioxin is a highly toxic industrial byproduct that is known to cause serious dioxin injury when exposed to humans and animals. Dioxin injuries include cancer, as well as other ailments. Currently, there is dispute about what level of risk dioxin poses when in low concentrations in soil. Limited studies in the past have indicated existing levels of dioxin in the soils do not typically meet levels needed to cause dioxin injury, but Dow Chemical''s plant in Midland, Michigan is what has been the source of controversy. Dioxin residues from the plant incineration before pollution control technology was in place has caused nearly 9,000 residential properties, half of the city''s population to have dioxin levels in excess of state and federal limits.

Since the risks of dioxin injury are already well known as a human carcinogen, some experts believe any level of excess should be taken care of or eliminated. Other experts want to wait until the results of two studies determine the level of human dioxin injury risk caused by dioxin in the soil before working to remove it and causing a potentially worsened condition.

Since dioxin exists throughout the environment, every living thing has been exposed to it. What is so worrisome is the kind of dioxin injury reports that have been made when people are exposed to levels that are too high. Tests on animals have resulted in the growth of tumors in all species that were exposed to dioxin. Since dioxin binds tightly to soil, the actual effects of it without being ingested by consumption of wildlife or agricultural and dairy products from the contaminated areas are not yet known.

In addition to cancer, exposure to too much dioxin can cause a serious dioxin injury called chloracne, the most common dioxin injury resulting in a severe skin disease with acne like lesions occurring mainly on the face and upper body. Other dioxin injury reports have included injury to the liver, weakened immune system, miscarriage, lowered sperm count, birth deformities, headache, nervousness, dementia, irritability, depression, anxiety, loss of sleep, loss of sleep drive, as well as other effects. Some residents of Midland believe dioxin injury exposure has already been shown to be so severe and serious that waiting for tests results is unnecessary. The risks, no matter the size, are too great to leave to chance, according to some residents and experts.

Agent Orange is an herbicide used during the Vietnam War that caused dioxin contamination and inflicted damage far worse than anyone imagined it could create. Containing a strain of dioxin considered one of the most virulent poisons known to man, it killed off the Vietnam rainforest and its toxicity extended down the food chain, leading to birth defects, resulting in its effects still being suffered today. Residents of Midland are aware that the dioxin in the soil is also an ingredient used for Agent Orange, but some residents want evidence of direct health effects from the studies before major digs are started.

Studies have shown that too much exposure to dioxin can result in a serious dioxin injury. Until further conclusions have been drawn, the extent of dioxin exposure allowable to humans will continue to be debated. Either way, federal and state limits exist to protect people from a dioxin injury and being exposed to the carcinogenic chemical.

Dioxin Breaking News

"Yushchenko’s dioxin levels are second highest recorded in human"

Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned and first fell ill in September. According to new tests, they reveal Yushchenko had more than 6,000 times higher than normal level of dioxin in the blood. The level of dioxin in his body...

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"Toxic perchlorate found in 4% of water supplies presenting possible risk to newborns and fetuses"

Perchlorate has been found in an estimated four percent of U.S. water systems as of 2003, creating a major controversy over what should be done. Though perchlorate occurs naturally, the majority of the drinking water contamination has been linked to ...

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"Dangerous levels of dioxins found in backyard burn barrels"

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the backyard burn barrel, a regular fixture in rural life, is now the largest quantifiable source of dioxin emissions in the country. The burning, according to Arkansas'' Western River Valley Soli...

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Dioxin Injury

Dioxin Breaking News

"Yushchenko’s dioxin levels are second highest recorded in human"

"Toxic perchlorate found in 4% of water supplies presenting possible risk to newborns and fetuses"

"Dangerous levels of dioxins found in backyard burn barrels"

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