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Dioxins - Incident Management

Key Points

Identity

  • The term dioxins refers to a group of 75 compounds with similar chemical structures but greatly varying toxicity
  • The most toxic dioxin is TCDD and most of the available data refer to this compound

Fire

  • Not 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 can lead to adverse effects on the skin, including chloracne, skin rashes or discolouration and excessive body hair
  • High levels may give rise to changes in the blood and urine, liver damage or changes in hormonal levels
  • Other effects of exposure to very high levels of dioxins include vomiting, diarrhoea, lung infections and damage to the nervous and immune systems
  • TCDD is classified as a causing cancer in humans
  • TCDD produces a range of toxic effects on reproduction relating to both fertility and developmental toxicity

Environment

  • Avoid release into the environment
  • Inform Environment Agency of substantial incidents

Frequently Asked Questions        Hazard Identification

Prepared by R P Chilcott
CHAPD HQ, HPA
2007
Version 1

This document will be reviewed not later than 3 years, or sooner if substantive evidence becomes available.