DIOXINS AND FURANS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: EVALUATING TOXICOLOGICAL RISK FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES BY MULTI-CRITERIA ANALYSIS. Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are present as trace contaminants in several industrial organic chemicals (e. g. , chlorinated phenols, phenoxy herbicides, PCBs) which have been identified as environmental pollutants. In addition, combustion processes contribute to PCDD and PCDF release to the environment. Despite these two significant routes of pollution by PCDDs and PCDFs, detection of these chemicals in environmental samples is only now being widely reported. Humans may be exposed to PCDDs and PCDFs as a result of these sources, from occupational exposures or from specific incidents. Therefore, both environmental and occupational exposures to PCDDs are significant. This suggests that human risk assessment requires not only a detailed knowledge of the biologic and toxic effects of the individual compounds and mixtures, but also knowledge of their origin, release, distribution, environmental fate and pharmacokinetics. Refs.

author list (cited authors)

  • Hutzinger, O., Berg, M., Olie, K., Opperhuizen, A., & Safe, S.

complete list of authors

  • Hutzinger, O||Berg, MVD||Olie, K||Opperhuizen, A||Safe, S

publication date

  • December 1985