Learning Objectives

1. Explore dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in the food supply.
2. Summarize the structural similarities of cogeners of dioxins and furans.
3. Understand Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEF) and Toxicity Equivalents (TEQ) for dioxins and related compounds.
4. Summarize the known processes and toxicological endpoints of dioxin exposure.
5. Describe the controversy and data needs concerning low-level dioxin exposure.
6. Describe the observed effects and major findings of animal studies with dioxin.
7. Summarize the environmental and food sources of dioxins.
8. Summarize the known human risk estimations for dioxins.
9. Summarize the regulatory control approaches for dioxin release.

Advance Reading

1. Shibamoto, pp. 117-126
2. Questions and answers about dioxins USEPA
3. What are the facts about dioxins and furans? Chlorine Chemistry Council
4. Dioxin Fact sheet NIEHS
5. From Animal Feed to People Food: The Belgian Dioxin Incident, NIEHS

Suggested Reading

1. EPA: Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Related Compounds Update: Impact on Fish Advisories
2. Dioxin and Related Compounds, USEPA
3. Greenpeace "Dioxin from Cradle to Grave"
4. The Belgian PCB and Dioxin Incident of January-June 1999: Exposure Data and Potential Impact on Health
5. Dioxins and Dioxin-like Compounds in the Food Supply: Strategies to Decrease Exposure (National Academy of Science 2003) Summary
6. National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens - Dioxin

Keywords

1. Dioxin
2. Dibenzofuran
3. Cogeners
4. TCDD
5. TEF
6. TEQ
7. Chloracne
8. Bioaccumulation
9. Etiology
10. Body burden