What are dioxins? Is it a real threat? A risk to consumers? This food crisis that exploded a few weeks ago in Germany primarily, is more controlled than that presented by the media.
Here we explain what is dioxin, which is the natural source of this compound, and especially how it spreads, how it affects the health of people and what are the consequences. So that we know what is happening and we can decide on the shopping cart. That does not happen as the mad cow crisis (BSP) or influenza "flu".
What are.
Dioxins are unwanted by many manufacturing processes including smelting, bleaching of pulp with chlorine or manufacturing of some herbicides and pesticides. Regarding the release of dioxins into the environment, uncontrolled burning of waste (solid and hospital) is usually the most serious cause, since combustion is incomplete. There is technology that allows controlled incineration of waste with low emissions.
How affect.
Experiments have shown that affect multiple organ systems. Once you have entered the body, they endure a long time because of their chemical stability and their attachment to fat tissue, where they are stored. An estimated half-life in the body is between 7 and 11 years. In the environment, tend to accumulate in the food chain. The higher you are in the animal food chain, the greater the concentration of dioxins.
Short-term exposure of humans to high levels of dioxins may cause skin lesions, such as chloracne and patchy darkening and altered liver function. Prolonged exposure has been linked to immune disorders, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and the reproductive
Presence in the environment and the organism.
As the omnipresence of dioxins, all people have background exposure and a certain concentration of dioxins in the body: the so-called body burden. In general, it is assumed that the current normal background exposure has effects on human health. However, due to high toxic potential of this class of compounds, are necessary measures to reduce current background exposure.
Food sources
Over 90% of human exposure to dioxins is food, and mainly meat, dairy products, fish and shellfish. Therefore, the food protection is crucial. As mentioned above, one strategy is to source directed measures to reduce dioxin emissions.
