Dioxins

Definition of dioxins: Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are two groups of tricyclic, chlorine-substituted, organic compounds. The number of chlorine substituents on the benzene rings may range from one to eight, which means 75 theoretical possible PCDDs and 135 possible PCDFs congeners, identified in general by the name “dioxins”. Dioxins are non-polar, lipophilic and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are able to biomagnify and bioconcentrate in the food web and cause a whole spectrum of potentially serious health problems. This is the common definition for dioxins, other definitions can be discussed in the article

Notes

Dioxins are mainly formed as an unintentional by-product from combustion processes involving organic matter, chlorine compounds and a catalyst, e.g. copper. Formation of trace concentrations of dioxins may take place in any fire or

combustion process based on natural or man-made organic materials. The presence of chlorinated organic compounds, such as chlorobenzenes and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may accelerate the dioxin formation.