chemical Class
Chlorinated dioxins & furans
Chemicals in the class:
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD (octadioxin), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDF (octafuran), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD (heptadioxin), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF (heptafuran), 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF (heptafuran), 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF (hexafuran), 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF (hexafuran), 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF (hexafuran), 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD (pentadioxin), 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF (pentafuran), 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF (hexafuran), 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF (pentafuran), 2,3,7,8-TCDD (tetradioxin), 2,3,7,8-TCDF (tetrafuran)
Summary
Chlorinated dioxins and furans are unwanted byproducts of the manufacture and burning of products that contain chlorine. Dioxins cause cancer in humans, and they are generally considered to be among the most toxic environmental contaminants known to man.
As a class, dioxins are extremely toxic, persistent, bioaccumulative, and lipophilic ("fat-loving"). This means that dioxins build up and are stored in fatty tissues and fluids, such as breast milk, and can be passed on to fetuses and infants during pregnancy and lactation. Most people are exposed to dioxin through the food they eat, primarily from meat, dairy, fish and eggs.
In humans, dioxins are associated with cancer, skin lesions, damage to the nervous system and immune system, altered carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, thyroid disruption, altered menstrual cycling, and cardiovascular effects. In laboratory animals, dioxins are known to cause a variety of effects including cancer and impaired reproductive, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, neurological and metabolic function. In addition, dioxins cause skin disease and birth defects. (ATSDR 1998, Eskenazi, et al. 2002, Longnecker, et al. 2001, NTP 2002, Kogevinas 2001, Mocarelli, et al. 2000, Roman and Peterson 1998, Warner, et al. 2002)
Chlorinated dioxins & furans
Chlorinated dioxins and furans are unwanted byproducts of the manufacture and burning of products that contain chlorine. Dioxins cause cancer in humans, are persistent and bioaccumulative, and are generally considered to be among the most toxic environmental contaminants known to man.
Top health concerns for Chlorinated dioxins & furans (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Cancer | strong |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | limited |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | unknown |
Other health concerns for Chlorinated dioxins & furans (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people | probable |
| Cardiovascular system | limited |
| Hematologic (blood) system | limited |
| Endocrine system | known |
| Skin | limited |
| Sense organs | limited |
| Gastrointestinal (including liver) | limited |
| Kidney and renal system | limited |
| Reproduction and fertility | unknown |
Violations, restrictions, and warnings for Chlorinated dioxins & furans (References)
Unsafe for use in cosmetics, Canada.
Other relevant risk considerations for Chlorinated dioxins & furans (References)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity.
Toxicity Classifications (References)
| classification | governing entity/references |
| 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 |
| Cancer hazards: recognized | P65, P65-MC |
| Cardiovascular or blood toxicity hazards: suspected | ATSDR, EPA-HEN, LADO, OEHHA-CREL, RTECS |
| Developmental toxicity hazards: recognized | P65 |
| Endocrine toxicity hazards: suspected | BKH, BRUC, IL-EPA, JNIHS, KEIT, OEHHA-CREL, RTECS, WWF, BKH, WWF, IL-EPA, JNIHS, RTECS, WWF |
| Gastrointestinal or liver toxicity hazards: suspected | EPA-HEN, LADO, OEHHA-CREL, RTECS, ZIMM, ATSDR |
| Group B2: Probable human carcinogen - sufficient data in animals (EPA classification) | EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) |
| Hazardous air pollutant under Clean Air Act | EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants |
| IARC Group 1: carcinogenic to humans (International Agency for Research on Carcinogens) | Inter'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Carcinogens |
| Immunotoxicity hazards: suspected | ATSDR, NAP |
| Kidney toxicity hazards: suspected | MERCK, RTECS |
| Known human carcinogen (National Toxicology Program classification) | NTP Report on Carcinogens, 11th Edition |
| 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 |
| 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 - Oslo-Paris (OSPAR) Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, chemical of concern | OSPAR (2002). OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR. Place Published, OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environement of North-East Atlanic. |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, priority chemical for voluntary waste/emission reductions | EPA Waste Minimization Program (RCRA) (1998) |
| 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) |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant under Canada's Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics program - targeted for elimination or reduction | EC (Environment Canada). 1994. Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET). ARET substance list of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. |
| Priority water pollutant under the Clean Water Act | EPA Water Quality Standards Database |
| Prohibited from use in Canadian cosmetics | Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist |
| Reproductive toxicity hazards: suspected | OEHHA-CREL |
| Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected | OEHHA-CREL, RTECS |
| Skin or sense organ toxicity hazards: suspected | EPA-HEN, HAZMAP, KLAA, RTECS |
| Very persistent and bioaccumulative toxicant - targeted for waste reporting under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs | EPA Toxic Release Inventory (1999) |
| Very persistent, very bioaccumulative, toxic under the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory | EPA Toxic Release Inventory (1999) |
