Dioxin - is one of the environmental pollutants.The substance is included in the so-called "Dirty Dozen".This core group of dangerous and persistent organic pollutants.Dioxins scientists are of particular concern, due to their high toxicity.The experts confirmed that this group of toxic substances affects a number of systems and organs.Once in the body, dioxins can be a very long time in it due to its high chemical resistance, as well as the ability to be absorbed by fat tissue.In them they are deposited and stored for a long time.The half-life of dioxin in human cells is evaluated in 7-10 years.These toxic substances tend to be passed up the food chain.The concentration of dioxins over time is increasing.
Sources of dioxin contamination
Dioxins are formed mainly as a result of human industrial activity.In addition, it was found that they appear in natural environments such as volcanic eruptions or large forest fires.Dioxins are included in the list of potent and poisonous substances, which is not the last line.A by-product of a number of industries, including pulp bleaching processes and melting, chemical industry.This toxin is released as a result of pesticides and herbicides.
But the main source of dioxin contamination of the environment is uncontrolled mass incineration.At the present time it is not set as the poison into the atmosphere due to human activities such harmful.To reduce the risks associated with incinerators, developed a package of measures aimed at strict control over these processes.There are already technologies that burn waste completely, while dioxins and dioxin-like compounds were isolated in small concentrations.
But despite all the efforts by environmentalists, the spread of toxic substances in the environment still is global.Dioxins are easily found on every continent and in almost every corner of the world.They are found in soils, in animals, in the digestive products.Very often the poison detected in fish, shellfish, meat and dairy products.Minor concentrations of dioxins are in the air, water and plants.
dioxin formation is also due to the vast reserves Nonrecycled waste industrial oil.Long-term storage of this material results in emissions of dioxin-like compounds in the environment.There is contamination of pastures and water.Dioxin enters the body of farm animals, and then - in meat and dairy products.Many countries have been arguing that with the used industrial oil should be handled as hazardous waste and to pay more attention to the process of disposal.
Dioxins and environment
Dioxin - is poison.At the same time it is very common.You can seriously argue that man is almost impossible to avoid contact with him.The total contamination of air, soil, water does not give a chance for almost anyone.Yet, despite these pessimistic predictions, reduce the intake of dioxins in the body is possible.Always observe some hygiene.This gives justifiable hope that this poison builds up in the body less.Avoid eating foods from environmentally fragile areas.You can not swim in open water, on the banks of which are industrial companies, as well as live near the waste treatment plants and municipal landfills.
Dioxins in food
Dioxin tends to accumulate in the body of the animal.This substance is substantially not displayed and remains in adipose tissue years.Furthermore, it is passed through the food chain.Therefore, it can be argued that at present one of the most common toxic substances in food is just dioxin.Instructions for use of prevention of poisoning by these components especially encourages a healthy lifestyle and eat natural, mainly plant food.Plants accumulate a dioxin in much smaller concentrations.Better to vegetables and fruits grown in an environmentally safe soil.The stores need to give preference to certified products.
However, dioxins are found not only in the meat of animals, but also in the fish.You can not buy it in the hands of natural markets.The content of hazardous substances is particularly high in fish caught in waters near pulp and paper mills and waste treatment plants.From this viewpoint, marine species are less toxic.Careful attention is paid to "oily" fish.It contains a large amount of dioxins.Even expensive red fish grown in adverse environmental conditions can be dangerous.
Dioxin - is not just harmful substance.This poison over the years accumulated in the adipose tissue.It does not decompose during thermal processing.It does not matter whether the meat is fried in a pan, whether stewed or baked in a casserole in the microwave - dioxin is not going anywhere.
Dioxins and waste
Dioxin - is primarily a toxic substance that is released during incineration of plastics, leaf litter and waste.In all developed countries on the territory of cities and other settlements is strictly forbidden to burn the foliage.Plants are huge filters.They contain heavy metals.This is especially true of trees and bushes growing along the roads.Harmful substances penetrate into them and from groundwater.When burning leaves these toxic compounds, including dioxins, and are released into the air.
cases of dioxin contamination in world history
Many countries are monitoring the amount in foods such dangerous to human health, as dioxin.Instructions for use of measures for the control of poisoning this poison contributes to early detection of contamination, it often helps to prevent large-scale consequences.One such notable example is the discovery in 2004 of high concentrations of harmful compounds in dairy products in the Netherlands.Once the investigation has been identified the source of contamination.They turned out to be clay, which is widely used in the manufacture of animal feed.A similar case was reported in 2006, all in the same Netherlands.But then it was revealed another source of infection - the fat, also a part of the feed.
Dioxin is not just on the list of toxic substances found in foods.It occupies a first line.In world history there are more cases of large-scale identification of the poison.For example, Ireland in late 2008 withdrew from selling tons of pork.After the samples were taken to test, it was found that the amount of dioxin in the meat exceeds the safety level of 200 times.This, of course, led to the fact that all pork products the country was forced to withdraw from the sale.After some investigation, experts have revealed that dangerous products do not have time to get on the tables of customers, and has served as a source of contamination of feed.But in the meantime, it made us think about the measures to prevent this in the future.
of today can not ignore this threat, as dioxin.Application to the Food of international standards is mandatory item of trade relations.For example, the European Commission issued in 2007 for their countries the health warning after the food additive known as guar gum, which is widely used as a thickening agent for meat products and desserts, it was found high levels of dioxin.It was found that the source of contamination has served the Indian poor-quality resin.
Almost every year from all over the reports of detection of meat, dairy products, desserts, fish and even marine delicacies excessive concentration of dioxin compounds.Most of these signals come from industrialized countries.This is because in these countries are designed to verify the instructions for product quality.Also, it is continuously monitored.
Dioxins and their effects on the human body
Short exposure to dioxins may lead to pathological changes in the skin.Examples include diseases such as chloracne and patchy darkening.Also disrupted the functioning of the liver.Long-term impact on the rights of these poisonous substances lead to more serious consequences.Observed destruction of immunity.Diagnosed disorders of the endocrine and nervous systems.In humans, there is a decrease of reproductive functions.Also as a result of prolonged exposure to dioxin developed cancerous tumors - cancers.Currently, these toxic compounds are classified as a human carcinogen.His current daily background exposure has no implications for the health of the urban population.However, due to the high toxic potential of dioxin is necessary to take some measures to reduce its concentration in the environment.
Sensitive subgroups
Determination of dioxins in the environment is especially important for pregnant women.Most sensitive to the effects of the poison group are newborns.Their fast-growing nervous, endocrine and other organ systems are highly vulnerable to the effects of dioxin-like compounds.Children under one year living close to the enterprises for processing and disposal of waste, and landfills may be a developmental delay, complex diseases, and cancer.
In addition, at risk include people of certain parts of the world, where the staple food is fish and seafood.Well, and, of course, employees of landfills, incinerators, and pulp and paper industry.
control and prevention of exposure to dioxins
So what in fact should be taken to prevent the release into the environment of such hazardous substances as dioxin?Instructions for use of methods of waste disposal is obliged to stipulate that waste must be disposed of properly.This is the best measure for the prevention of emissions.It is also necessary to prevent long-term storage of waste oils in the enterprises.They must be disposed of as soon as possible.Their burning requires a very high temperature - above 850 degrees.It's one of the problems encountered when disposing of this waste.Unfortunately, not always and everywhere have the necessary conditions to eliminate large amounts of dioxin-contaminated oils and other materials.
But the best way to reduce the impact of dioxin-like substances in the human being is a set of measures that have not focused on the consequences and the source of contamination.An example is the strict control of the industrial process to prevent the release of toxic compounds.
course, monitor the activity of the plant is very important.But do not forget that almost 90% of cases the cause of dioxin poisoning people become food.The main threat is posed by dairy and meat products.Also, a high content of hazardous substances detected in fish and shellfish.This implies the need to more carefully monitor the products for the presence of poisons such as dioxin.The test indicates that the reaction on the concentration of the substance in the material should be conducted throughout.It is crucial to protect the public from poisoning.One of the priorities for reducing the number of products identified in these dioxin - elimination of pollution sources.
But it's prevention.As for cases of suspected poisoning of the population in cities and towns, there must be a plan of action to quickly identify the source of his arrest or seizure and subsequent disposal.These can be not only foods and feed for farm animals.In parallel, the population subjected to the effects of dioxin should be tested for the presence of pathological consequences.Particular attention is paid to children under three years of age and lactating mothers.
What can a consumer to reduce the likelihood of exposure to dioxin?
Of course, there are several ways how to reduce the likelihood of ingestion of such dangerous substances, such as dioxin.Instructions for handling meat will help in this.No matter how ready meals - boiled or baked meat.It will still be dioxin, it is not destroyed by thermal action.But it is known that it no longer accumulates in fatty tissues.This means that in order to reduce the chance of getting into the food chain of dangerous compounds, enough to cut the fat from meat.With dairy products even easier.The lower the fat content of the more confidence that the concentration of dioxin in them is negligible.
In addition, human nutrition should be balanced.We need to eat more vegetables and fruits.Plants accumulate a dioxin-like substance is much smaller.If reducing the number of consumed meat and dairy foods and increase the plant, it is possible to minimize the ingress of harmful substances into the body.This strategy is especially important for pregnant and lactating women.Dioxin is very dangerous for infants.Their body only is the development of critical systems such as the nervous, endocrine and reproductive.The slightest abnormality can be a big problem in the future.Furthermore, dioxin - carcinogen.It facilitates the development of cancer.
Identifying and measuring the level of dioxin in food and the environment
massive dioxin poisoning in the last decade were detected several times.Similar cases have occurred in many countries.Most often served as a source of feed for farm animals and food.In order to check the amount of hazardous substances in the environment, precision needed modern methods.In the world of laboratories able to carry out such tests, not so much.Almost all of them - in the industrialized countries.The cost of such studies depends on the type of samples.Yet for a biological sample will take about two thousand dollars.This price is too high for third world countries.
annually developed new methods for biological screening - based on antibodies and cells.Although the use of these techniques for food products is not yet sufficiently legalized but, nevertheless, it allows a biological screening far greater number of required tests at relatively low financial cost.In the case of a positive result of these studies need to spend more complex and costly chemical analysis.
Besides control over the quality of food products, also introduced specific requirements for incinerators.
poisonous substances
dioxin addition, today there is a whole list of potent and poisonous substances.These hazardous compounds used in industry and agriculture.If accidental emissions occur contamination of water, soil, air, plants.Toxic substances can accumulate in the body of animals and humans.They provoke a variety of diseases, including cancer.The higher the concentration of hazardous chemicals, the greater the loss of tissue and organ systems, and the situation is complicated by the fact that these substances are very difficult and even virtually impossible to get them the body.They are stored in it for years.
highly toxic substances - are chemical compounds that are highly toxic.They can, under certain conditions, such as industrial accidents in chemical plants, contaminate large areas.This is dangerous because such a situation entails the mass poisoning of people.Furthermore, there is contamination of the environment.
