Dioxins and Furans
The group of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs, Dioxins) and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDFs, Furans), colloquially often referred to as “Dioxins” consists of 210 tricyclical chlorine organic compounds (congeners), that differ widely in the chlorine content and their respective toxicity. In particular, 17 of the 210 compounds are extremely toxic. These congeners have a chlorine substitution in the 2,3,7,8-position. The most well-known compound is the 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzop-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) which is generally known as “Seveso Dioxin”. In February 1997 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared this substance as carcinogenic for humans.
Dioxins are mainly formed as an unwanted by-products in combustion processes in case of which traces of chlorine are present. In former times waste incinerators and various industrial processes and productions have been the main source for dioxin contaminations, e.g. the chlorine-bleaching in the paper industry and the manufacture of certain chlorinated hydrocarbons (PCP, PCB, 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol). Due to technical improvements and legal stipulations dioxin emissions in Germany and thus, the contamination of the environment and humans have significantly decreased during the last years.
Dioxins and furans are extremely stable, both in terms of their chemical and thermal qualities. They have a very good liposolubility and are biologically nearly non-degradable (persistent). They are accumulated via the food chain and settle in the fat, liver, and skin tissue of humans. The toxicity of dioxins and furans is calculated with the help of the toxicity equivalence factors scheme (TEF) specified by the World Health Organization (WHO). Added together they form the TEQ value (“Toxicity Equivalent”) which is reported. Within the European Union a variety of legal regulations are in place that specify the limit and action values for dioxins; among others for waste incinerations, wastes in general, soil, sewage sludge, water, and for the marketing and use of chemicals. Comprehensive legal regulations are also in place for feed and food.
Parameters:
Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins and Furans (PCDD/Fs)
i. PCDDs
2,3,7,8-TetraCDD
1,2,3,7,8-PentaCDD
1,2,3,4,7,8-HexaCDD
1,2,3,6,7,8-HexaCDD
1,2,3,7,8,9-HexaCDD
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HeptaCDD
OctaCDD
ii. PCDFs
2,3,7,8-TetraCDF
1,2,3,7,8-PentaCDF
2,3,4,7,8-PentaCDF
1,2,3,4,7,8-HexaCDF
1,2,3,6,7,8-HexaCDF
1,2,3,7,8,9-HexaCDF
2,3,4,6,7,8-HexaCDF
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HeptaCDF
1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HeptaCDF
OctaCDF
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