Dioxin is ... Poisonous substances. List of potent and toxic substances

Dioxin is one of the pollutants of the environment. The substance is part of the so-called "dirty dozen". This is a group of major hazardous and persistent organic pollutants. Dioxins in scientists are of particular concern, which is due to their high toxicity. Experts confirmed that it is this group of toxic substances that affects a number of human systems and organs. Once in the body, dioxins can stay in it for a very long time due to their high chemical stability, as well as the ability to be absorbed by fatty tissues. It is in them that they are postponed and remain for a long time. The half-life of dioxin in human cells is estimated at 7-10 years. These toxic substances tend to be transmitted through food chains. At the same time, the concentration of dioxins only increases with time.

Sources of dioxin contamination

Dioxins are formed mainly as a result of human industrial activities. In addition, it is established that they appear in natural conditions, for example, in volcanic eruptions or in extensive forest fires. Dioxins are on the list of potent and poisonous substances, where they occupy far from the last line. These are by-products of a number of industries, including cellulose bleaching and melting processes, and the chemical industry. This poison is released as a result of obtaining pesticides and herbicides.

But the main source of environmental pollution with dioxin is the uncontrolled process of mass incineration of garbage. At present, it is not established how much toxic substance enters the atmosphere due to such harmful activity of a person. To reduce the risks associated with incineration plants, a whole set of measures is being developed, aimed at tight control over these processes. There are already technologies that allow the incineration of waste completely, while dioxins and dioxin-like compounds are released in small concentrations.

But despite all efforts on the part of environmentalists, the spread of poisonous substances in the environment is still global. Dioxins are easily detected on all continents and virtually anywhere in the world. They are found in soils, in the body of animals, in digestive products. Especially often this poison is detected in fish, shellfish, meat and dairy products. A small concentration of dioxins is in the air, water and plants.

The formation of dioxins is also due to extensive reserves of unutilized waste industrial oil. Long-term storage of this substance results in the release of dioxin-like compounds into the environment. There is a contamination of pasture lands and reservoirs. Dioxin enters the body of farm animals, and from there - into meat and dairy products. In many countries, it has long been said that with used industrial oil it is necessary to handle both as hazardous waste and pay more attention to the process of its utilization.

Dioxins and the environment

Dioxin is a poison. However, it is very common. It can be seriously argued that it is practically impossible for a person to avoid contact with him. The general pollution of air, soil, water resources does not give a chance to almost anyone. But nevertheless, despite such pessimistic forecasts, it is possible to reduce the intake of dioxins into the body. It is necessary to constantly observe a certain hygiene. This gives a fully justified hope that this poison in the body will accumulate less. Avoid eating foods from environmentally unstable areas. You can not swim in open water reservoirs on the shore of which industrial enterprises are located, as well as live near garbage processing plants and urban landfills.

Dioxins in food

Dioxin has the property of accumulating in the animal's body. This substance is practically not excreted and remains in adipose tissue for years. In addition, it is transmitted through the food chain. Therefore, it can be argued that currently one of the most common toxic substances in food is precisely dioxin. Instructions for the use of measures for the prevention of poisoning by these components primarily recommend a healthy lifestyle and eat natural, predominantly plant food. Plants accumulate dioxin in much lower concentrations. It is better to grow vegetables and fruits on environmentally friendly soils. In stores, you must give preference to certified products.

But dioxins are found not only in meat of animals, but also in fish. You can not buy it in the spontaneous markets with hands. The content of hazardous substances is especially high in fish caught in water reservoirs near pulp and paper mills and waste processing plants. From this point of view, marine species are less toxic. Close attention is paid to the "fat" fish. It contains more dioxins. Even expensive red fish, grown in adverse environmental conditions, can be dangerous.

Dioxin is not just a harmful substance. This poison accumulates over the years in adipose tissue. It does not decompose on heat treatment. It does not matter if the meat is fried in a frying pan, whether it is stewed in a kazanke or baked in a microwave oven - dioxin will not go anywhere.

Dioxins and household waste

Dioxin is primarily a toxic substance that is released during the burning of debris from polymeric materials, leaf litter and household waste. In all developed countries, it is strictly prohibited to burn foliage on the territory of cities and other settlements. Plants are colossal filters. They contain salts of heavy metals. Especially it concerns trees and bushes growing along motor roads. Harmful substances penetrate them and from groundwater. When burning leaves, all these toxic compounds, including dioxins, are released and enter the air.

Cases of dioxin pollution in world history

Many countries are monitoring the amount of food hazardous to human health, such as dioxin. Instructions for the use of measures to control poisoning with this poison contribute to early detection of pollution, often it helps to prevent large-scale consequences. One of such striking examples is the discovery in 2004 of high concentrations of harmful compounds in dairy products in the Netherlands. After the investigation, a source of pollution was identified. They were clay, which is widely used in the manufacture of animal feed. A similar case was registered in 2006 in the same Netherlands. But then another source of infection was discovered - fat, also part of the feed.

Dioxin is not just on the list of toxic substances found in food. He occupies the first lines in it. In world history, there are also more widespread cases of detection of this poison. For example, Ireland at the end of 2008 withdrew tons of pork from sale. After samples were taken for testing, it was found out that the amount of dioxin in meat exceeds the level of safe 200 times. This, of course, led to the fact that all products from pork country had to be removed from sale. After carrying out the research, the specialists revealed that dangerous products did not reach the buyers' tables, and the source of contamination was feed. But meanwhile, this made me think about measures to prevent this in the future.

To date, one can not ignore a threat such as dioxin. The application of international norms to food products is a mandatory point of trade relations. For example, in 2007 the European Commission issued a health warning for its states after a high content of dioxin was found in a food additive known as guar gum, which was widely used as a thickener for meat products and desserts. It was found that the source of contamination was poor quality Indian resin.

Almost every year from different countries there are reports of detection in excess of dioxin compounds in meat, dairy products, desserts, fish and even marine delicacies. Most of these signals come from industrialized countries. This is because in these countries, instructions have been developed for testing products for quality. There is also ongoing monitoring.

Dioxins and their effect on the human body

Short exposure to dioxins can lead to the development of pathological changes in the skin. Examples include such diseases as focal darkening and chloracne. Also, the functioning of the liver is impaired. Long-term effects on humans of these toxic substances lead to more serious consequences. There are defeats of immunity. Diagnosis of violations of the endocrine and nervous systems. A person has a decrease in reproductive functions. Also as a result of prolonged exposure to dioxin, cancerous tumors develop - cancer tumors. Currently, these toxic compounds are classified as a human carcinogen. Its current day-to-day background impact has no health implications for the urban population. However, due to the high toxic potential of dioxin, it is necessary to take certain measures to reduce its concentration in the environment.

Sensitive subgroups

Determination of dioxins in the environment is especially important for pregnant women. The most sensitive to the effects of this poison group are newborn babies. Their rapidly developing nervous, endocrine and other organ systems are highly vulnerable to the effects of dioxin-like compounds. For children under one year living near the enterprises for processing and recycling of garbage, as well as landfills, there may be a delay in development, complex pathologies, as well as oncological diseases.

In addition, the risk group includes the population of some parts of the world, where the main food is fish and seafood. Well, and, of course, employees of landfills, incineration plants and the pulp and paper industry.

Control and prevention of exposure to dioxins

So what really needs to be done to prevent the release of such a dangerous substance as dioxin into the environment? Instructions for the use of methods of recycling of garbage must stipulate that the waste must be destroyed in an appropriate way. This is the best measure to prevent emissions. It is also necessary not to allow long-term storage of used oils at the enterprises. They must be destroyed as soon as possible. Their burning requires very high temperatures - over 850 degrees. This is one of the problems that arise when disposing of these wastes. Unfortunately, not always and not everywhere there are necessary conditions to destroy large volumes of dioxin-contaminated oils and other materials.

But the best way to reduce the level of influence of dioxin-like substances on humans is to take a set of measures that focus not on the consequences, but on the source of pollution. An example is the strict control over the industrial process to prevent the release of toxic compounds.

Of course, it is extremely important to monitor the activities of plants. But do not forget that in almost 90% of cases, food poisoning caused people to become dioxins. The main threat is represented by dairy and meat products. Also, a high content of hazardous substances is detected in fish and shellfish. From this it follows that it is necessary to more closely monitor these products for the presence in them of a poison such as dioxin. The test, the reaction of which indicates the concentration of this substance in the test material, should be carried out everywhere. This is critical to protecting the public from poisoning. One of the priority areas for reducing the number of products with dioxin found in them is the elimination of pollution sources.

But these are all preventive measures. As for cases of suspected poisoning among the population in cities and towns, action plans should be developed to quickly identify the source, detain it, or withdraw it and recycle it. It can be not only food products, but also feed for farm animals. In parallel, the population exposed to dioxin should be examined for pathological consequences. Particular attention is paid to children under three years old and nursing mothers.

What can the consumer do to reduce the likelihood of exposure to dioxin?

Of course, there are several ways to reduce the likelihood of getting into the body of such a dangerous substance as dioxin. The meat processing instruction will help in this. It does not matter how the dish is prepared - the meat is brewed or baked. It still will remain dioxin, it does not break down with thermal exposure. But it is known that it accumulates more in fatty tissues. And this means that in order to reduce the likelihood of ingestion of dangerous compounds into the body, it is sufficient to cut off fat from the meat. With dairy products is still easier. The less their fat content, the more confidence that the concentration of dioxin in them is negligible.

In addition, human nutrition should be balanced. You need to eat more vegetables and fruits. Plants accumulate dioxin-like substances much less. If you reduce the amount of meat and dairy food consumed and increase the amount of plant food, you can minimize the ingress of hazardous substances into the body. This strategy is especially important for pregnant and lactating women. Dioxin is very dangerous for newborns. In their organism only the development of the most important systems, such as nervous, endocrine and reproductive, occurs. The slightest pathology can be a big problem in the future. In addition, dioxin is a carcinogen. It promotes the development of cancer.

Detection and measurement of dioxin levels in food and the environment

Mass poisoning with dioxin over the past decade has been identified several times. Similar cases have been noted in many countries. Most often, the source was food for farm animals and food. In order to check the amount of hazardous substance in the environment, high-precision modern methods are needed. In the world of laboratories that can carry out such analyzes, not so much. Almost all of them are in industrially developed countries. The cost of such studies depends on the type of samples. But for one biological test, it will take about two thousand US dollars. This price is too high for third world countries.

Every year new methods of biological screening are developed - based on antibodies and cells. Although the use of all these methods for food products has not yet been sufficiently legalized, nevertheless, biological screening allows for a much larger number of necessary analyzes with relatively low financial costs. In the case of a positive result of these studies, more complex and costly chemical analyzes are needed.

In addition to control over the quality of food, certain requirements for incineration plants have also been introduced.

Toxic strong substances

In addition to dioxin, today there is a whole list of potent and toxic substances. These dangerous compounds are used in industry and agriculture. With emergency emissions, contamination of water, soil, air, and plants occurs. Poisonous substances can accumulate in the body of animals and humans. They provoke various diseases, including cancer. The higher the concentration of dangerous chemical compounds, the stronger the damage to tissues and organ systems, while the situation is complicated by the fact that these substances are very difficult and even almost impossible to remove their body. They remain in it for years.

Highly toxic substances are chemical compounds that have a high toxicity. They are able under certain conditions, for example in industrial accidents at chemical plants, to pollute vast areas. This is dangerous because such a situation entails mass poisoning of people. In addition, the environment is contaminated. To date, chlorine, phosgene, phosphorus trichloride , carbon monoxide, chloropicrin, hydrocyanic acid, sulfur chloride, acrylonitrile, sulfurous anhydride, carbon disulphide, ammonia, dimethyl sulfate, ethylene oxide, methyl bromide are among the toxic chemical substances in addition to the metabolizing dioxin.