WHY ARE DIOXINS BAD FOR HEALTH?

Dioxins are a group of dangerous compounds that are chemically related and are often present in very dirty zones. They are a major cause of pollution. Dioxins are found virtually everywhere around the world and are usually present in fatty tissues of animals and humans.

Exposure to dioxins needs to be limited because of the very high toxic potential to our body. They last a long time once they enter the body because they have very high chemical stability and they are easily absorbed by fat tissues. This results in dioxins comfortably stored in the body system.

WHY IS DIOXIN BAD FOR HEALTH 

Due to the ubiquitous nature of dioxins, everyone has a background exposure and a degree of dioxins in their bodies, but this level of background exposure is not expected to affect us. The cause for concern is an un-natural exposure to this chemical.

Exposure to dioxins may result in infertility, diabetes, and cancer. A high level of dioxins over a long period of time can lead to chloracne which is a severe skin disease that occurs mainly on the face and the upper body, this is possible if there is an accident or any significant contamination circumstance. 

Some other effects of dioxins include mild liver damage, skin rashes,  excess body hair, and skin discoloration. Long term exposure to dioxins might affect the reproductive system, endocrine, and the developing nervous system. Research has proven that long term exposure of dioxins over a long period may increase the risk of cancer.

The risk of dioxins to health depends on, 

• When an individual was exposed to it
• The level of the individual’s exposure and
• How often and how long the individual was exposed to it. 

The health problems linked to this exposure include; 

• Reduced sperm count, Reduced fertility, inability to maintain pregnancy and birth defects
• Endometriosis and disabilities in learning
• Skin disorder, lung issues, and immune system suppression 

HOW DO DIOXINS END UP IN A PRODUCT 

Dioxins are not easy to dissolve in water and seems to oppose biological and chemical degradation. Once it is released, it contaminates the plant and the surfaces of the soil as well as aquatic sediments. The animals on land are liable to ingest contaminated vegetation, and the soil tends to accumulate dioxins in their bodies.

Inside water bodies, small living organisms take in particles contaminated with dioxins and sediments and store them in their bodies. Aquatic life in the form of small fish then takes in these small organisms, and the contaminants are passed to them. Large fish also eat a number of small fish and accumulate the contaminants in their bodies; all these leads to an increasing concentration of the contaminants along in the food chain. 

This chain of events gives rise to contaminated foods in the production of tin and other canned foods. Aquatic animals are being contaminated before the manufacturing process, and other vegetables are being contaminated from the soil. 

Some common household products form dioxins. One that comes to mind is chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach, when compounded with organic compounds give off dioxins. This is yet another reason to avoid chlorine. Triclosan, a common disinfectant can also break down and form dioxin.

Dioxins originally come from the ground of very dirty zones,  and some chemical combustions from industries, but thereafter it moves into drinking water,  aquatic animals and those that live on land, and finally they graduate into the food items been consumed by individuals.