Contaminated food products account for 90% of all dioxin exposure
As some of the most toxic chemicals known to science, dioxins have also been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a carcinogen. These substances are frequently the by-product of various industrial processes such as waste incineration, chemical and pesticide manufacturing, as well as pulp and paper bleaching. However, contaminated food products such as meat, fish, shellfish, and dairy account for most cases of exposure. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there is no safe level of exposure to dioxins. The following are other sources of dioxins:
- combustion sources
- metals smelting
- refining and processing sources
- chemical manufacturing sources
- natural sources
- environmental reservoirs
Dioxins are very toxic and can interfere with hormones and lead to the development of numerous very serious health problems. Unfortunately, all humans are exposed to dioxins to a certain extent. When heavy exposure occurs, people are more likely to come to struggle with a health problem. A very important source of dioxins is the chemical industry, which contaminates the environment with dioxins by releasing various toxic agents that contain these chemicals in the atmosphere. Dioxins can be released into the air, water, and subsequently in sediments, land, waste, and other products. The following are the health problems heavy exposure to dioxins can cause:
- impairment of the immune system
- liver problems
- endocrine disruption
- nervous system problems
- birth defects
- reproductive system problems
- cardiovascular disease
- breast cancer
- endometrial cancer
- testicular cancer
- developmental problems
- hormonal issues
It is worthy of note that dioxins are not produced or used commercially in the United States. They are a contaminant that is created during the production of some chlorinated organic compounds, including a few herbicides such as Silvex. Over recent years, the Environmental Protection Agency has been striving to reduce the production of dioxins and their release in the environment. Although the environmental concentration of dioxins has decreased over the past 30 years, dioxins are very persistent compounds and break down very slowly. A large part of current exposures to dioxins in the country is due to releases that occurred decades ago, such as from pollution or fires. The following are other ways in which dioxins are released in the environment:
- burning: combustion processes such as waste incineration – commercial or municipal – or burning fuels such as wood, coal or oil, create dioxins
- bleaching: chlorine bleaching of pulp and paper and other industrial processes release small amounts of dioxins in the environment
- smoking: cigarette smoke also contains a small amount of dioxins
- drinking water: dioxins can find their way into drinking water by air emissions from waste incineration, deposition from air to the soil that erodes into surface waters used for drinking water, and discharges into the water from chemical factories
If you or people in your community developed serious diseases as a consequence of dioxin exposure, you are entitled to financial compensation from the companies that released these toxic chemicals into the environment. Our law firm, which specializes in toxic exposure cases, will help you recover the money you are eligible for by filing a lawsuit or a class-action lawsuit against each and every company responsible for your diagnoses. If you decide to work with us, you are bound to receive the largest sum of money available for your suffering.