Key Points

Identity

• The term dioxins refers to a group of 210 compounds with similar chemical structures but greatly varying toxicity
• The most toxic dioxin is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p -dioxin (TCDD) and most of the available data refer to this compound

Fire

• Non flammable
• Decomposes when exposed to UV light
• Emits toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride and chlorine when heated to decomposition or on exposure to UV light

Health

• Dioxins are toxic by inhalation or ingestion
• Ingestion of dioxins in humans can lead to adverse effects on the skin, including a severe and persistent acne (chloracne), skin rashes or discolouration, and excessive body hair
• Changes in the blood and urine, liver damage or changes in hormone levels may also occur
• Exposure to very high levels of dioxins may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, lung infections and damage to the nervous and immune systems
• TCDD is classified as causing cancer in humans
• TCDD produces a range of toxic effects on reproduction relating to both fertility and developmental toxicity in animals

Environment

• Avoid releases to the environment 
• Inform Environment Agency of substantial release incidents

 

All sections are available to download in PDF format below:

• Dioxins - Full Document (PDF, 101 KB)
• General Information (PDF, 41 KB)
• Incident Management (PDF, 41 KB)
• Toxicological Overview (PDF, 50 KB)

Background