chemical information
CAS RN:
3268-87-9
Chemical Class:
Chemical SubClass
Manufacturing/Use Status
this chemical is not intentionally produced, it is a byproduct of another application
Found in these people:
Baby #5, Baby #9, Baby #7, Baby #6, Baby #3, Baby #1, Baby #10, Baby #2, Baby #8, Baby #4, Michael Lerner, Kathy Fowler, Anonymous Adult 1, Davis Baltz, Charlotte Brody, Lexi Rome, Monique Harden, Sharyle Patton, U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter, Lucy Waletsky, Bill Moyers, Andrea Martin
Found in these locations:
Bolinas, CA; Rockville, MD; Berkeley, CA; Round Hill, VA; Mill Valley, CA; New Orleans, LA; Upstate New York, NY; Pleasantville, NY; NJ, USA; Sausalito, CA
Summary
Laboratory animals. Dioxins cause toxicity to many organ systems in animals. Effects include liver and thyroid tumors; cardiovascular, skeletal, skin, immune, respiratory, neurological and reproductive toxicity; altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism; reduced fertility and birth defects. Specific birth defects include reproductive tract and skeletal abnormalities, such as cleft palate (ATSDR 1998a). Dioxins are endocrine disruptors because they alter thyroid, reproductive, and adrenal hormone levels and function (ATSDR 1998a). Many of the lowest dose effects are developmental. For example, a one-time exposure to dioxin during fetal life can impair prostate development in male rats (Roman and Peterson 1998, Roman, et al. 1998, Timms, et al. 2002).
Humans. The effects of dioxins have been studied in humans who were exposed through diet, work, military service and industrial accidents. Dioxin (TCDD) is a known human carcinogen. It is associated with increased incidence of cancer in general and with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and lung and soft-tissue cancer in particular (ATSDR 1998a, NTP 2002). Soft tissue includes muscle, fat, blood vessels or any of the other tissues that support, surround and protect organs of the body. Dioxin is also associated with non-cancer disorders including skin lesions (chloracne), and nervous system toxicity (ATSDR 1998a). Associations with other types of disorders are emerging. For example, recent follow-up of people exposed to an industrial explosion in Seveso, Italy (the highest known population exposure to TCDD) suggest that dioxin may also be associated with breast cancer (Warner, et al. 2002), menstrual irregularities (Eskenazi, et al. 2002), altered thyroid function, and diabetes (Kogevinas 2001). Risk of developing diabetes or glucose intolerance is also increased in military personnel who were exposed to dioxin-contaminated herbicide (Agent Orange) in the Vietnam War (Longnecker, et al. 2001). Although developmental effects of dioxin have not been adequately studied in humans, several studies have linked dioxin to altered sex ratio (in favor of females) (Mocarelli, et al. 2000).
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD (octadioxin)
In dioxin family of chemicals - pollutants from PVC production, industrial bleaching, incineration; cause cancer, may harm hormone system.
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD (octadioxin) has been found in 33 of the 34 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies.
Top health concerns for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD (octadioxin) (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Cancer | limited |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | limited |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | unknown |
Other health concerns for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD (octadioxin) (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people | probable |
Results for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD (octadioxin)
in blood serum (lipid weight)
Showing results from Minority Cord Blood, EWG/Commonweal Study #4, industrial chemicals and pesticides in cord blood, San Francisco Reporter, EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults, EWG Study #3, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults
EWG/Commonweal results
- geometric mean: 98.9 pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- found in 33 of 34 people in the group
| 0 | pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 1590 |
 | ||
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD (octadioxin) results
Detailed toxicity classifications (References)
| classification | governing entity/references |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Great Lakes Binational Strategy, Tier 1 concern (highest), targeted for phase-out | Great Lakes BTS (Binational Toxics Strategy). 1997. Canada-United States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes. Appendix I - Level 1 and Level 2 substances. |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - targeted for emission reductions and process controls under international treaty (Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, or POPs Convention) | United Nations Environment Programme/POPs Treaty (2001) |
| Very persistent and bioaccumulative toxicant - targeted for waste reporting under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs | EPA Toxic Release Inventory (1999) |
| Cancer hazards: recognized | P65-MC |
| Limited evidence in humans - immune system toxicity | ATSDR (1998). Toxicological profile for chlorinated dibenzo-o-dioxins (CDDs): Health effects chapter. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp104.html |
| Birth defects - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed | ATSDR (1998). Toxicological profile for chlorinated dibenzo-o-dioxins (CDDs): Health effects chapter. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp104.html |
