Dioxin: The Chemical and Our Health

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, better known as DDT is a notorious organochlorine pesticide that is created by the reaction of chloral with chlorobenzene in combination with sulfuric acid(Britannica p.1). It was first used as an insecticide in 1939 by Hermann Muller in Switzerland. DDT works as an insecticideby acting on the nervous system to generate the same neural impulse over and over causing body tremors and eventually death. DDT is an extremely stable chemical compound containing C14H9Cl5 which leads to some significant resistance issues when used as a pesticide. The most problematic property of DDT is its high fat solubility and extremely low water solubility meaning that it has a tendency to stick around in the environment for longer than we want since it is readily taken up in the bodies of nearby mammals.

From 1947 to 1977, these two plants legally discharged from 500,000 to 1.5 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson, and unknowingly saturated the bedrock beneath both sites with at least that much again. There are PCBs in Hudson River water, biota, and sediment from Hudson Falls to New York City - 200 miles that comprise the nations largest Superfund site. Pure PCBs are oozing out of the bedrock to this day, constantly recontaminating the river and over 300,000 pounds remain concentrated in bottom sediments of the river today. The spread of PCBs throughout the Hudson River and the food chain, which it supports, has created one of the most extensive hazardous waste problems in the nation. Polychlorinated biphenyl’s (PCBs) are a group of synthetic oil-like chemicals (therefore insoluble in water) of the organochlorine family. Until their toxic nature was recognized and their use was banned in the 1970s, they were widely used as insulation in electrical equipment, particularly transformers. Reputable chemists have since concluded, “it was probably a mistake ever to make or use PCBs.” These are serious poisons, which have been shown to cause damage to the reproductive, neurological and immune systems of wildlife and humans and are known to cause cancer. Exposure has also been linked to behavioral damage. Specifically, because PCBs in the body mimic estrogen, women of childbearing age and their infants are particularly susceptible

For decades, a substance known to cause burns, hospitalizations, and deaths has been found throughout the world. 3.41 million people die every year from issues related to this chemical, including over 200 children every hour. Approximately 80% of all diseases are either caused by the chemical or are somehow related to it. More substances dissolve into this substance than any other substance on earth, which is helpful for another usage of the chemical in nuclear power generators. Inhaling this substance causes suffocation, and eating too much of its solid form or drinking too much of its liquid form can cause intoxication and death. The name of this substance is Dihydrogen Monoxide, and despite its known dangers and prevalence across the United

Protecting the environment from toxic contaminants such as pesticide, herbicide, and other Solvents are vital to the survival of the inhabitants of the respective environment. This is important because such contaminants, when released into the environment can create devastating health problems such as cancer in humans. This paper will evaluate three of the many carcinogenic chemicals that have the propensity to cause cancer and other health problems. Therefore, the paper will evaluate Agent Orange, DDT, and Benzene.

Protecting the environment from toxic contaminants such as pesticide, herbicide and other Solvents are vital to the survival of the inhabitants of the respective environment. This is important because such contaminants, when released into the environment can create devastating health problems such as cancer in humans. This paper will evaluate three of the many carcinogenic chemicals that have the propensity to cause cancer and other health problems. Therefore, the paper will evaluate Agent Orange, DDT, and Benzene.

Benzene CASRN 71-43-2 | IRIS | US EPA, ORD. (2003). Cfpub.epa.gov. Retrieved 27 January 2017, from https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris2/chemicalLanding.cfm?substance_nmbr=276

In both past and present, the traces of Agent Orange have drastically affected the ecosystems of Vietnam. The causes for the effects of Agent Orange are due to its main, and most dangerous component: Dioxin. Many of the separate Agent compounds contained dioxin, but Agent Orange contained Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD,) one of the most potent forms of Dioxin. TCDD is responsible for many of the sub-lethal effects on wildlife in Agent Orange spray zones, causing tumors and birth defects, along with a variety of cancers to animals who ingest it [HowStuffWorks Science]. Almost every living animal has small amounts of Dioxin located in their body fat, but the mutagenic effects of Dioxin occur when it enters an ecosystem in large amounts. The body can process small amounts of dioxin, but in vast quantities, like the millions of gallons of Agent Orange dropped on the forests of Vietnam, it is a very powerful poison. After the Dioxin soaked up into the plants and ground of the Vietnam forest it worked its way up the food chain, as herbivores ate the Dioxin-infused grass, then become Dioxin-laced themselves, eventually everything became infected with the Dioxin and slowly died out, eventually, all the plants and animals were gone, leaving a barren wasteland. That is how the forests of Vietnam eventually withered away, and some did not return [HowStuffWorks Science]. This is very clearly a violation of environmental justice,

One reason why DDT should not be used is because of its harmful effects on humans. First, research had shown that the consumption of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) had caused many people to contract many dangerous diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, kidney and ovarian diseases. Studies had also linked the use of DDT to be a carcinogenic, causing breast cancer in women. A study of 9,300

TCDD is a dioxin that can be produced through diesel exhaust, burning waste, and chemical manufacturing. In recent years, many have argued that exposure to this chemical can cause serious illnesses. Studies on animals have shown that TCDD is one of the most poisonous chemicals out there. The animal testing has been found to be especially toxic to developing babies in the womb. A pregnant rat given a dose of less than one part per billion (which is comparable to a single drop in 14,000 gallons of water) will cause female sexual characteristics in a male embryo. Doses of 100 parts per billion in rodents and fish have been proven to cause birth defects such as cleft palates, malfunctioning kidneys, heart problems, and weak bones (Schmidt). Animal studies have proven that small doses of TCDD can be severely detrimental to one’s

Akwasasne Mohawk peoples has shown that pollutants, such as lead, DDT (dichloro-diphenyl- trichloroethane), which is stored as the metabolite DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(chlorophe- nyl)ethylene),

The destruction this chemical caused to the vegetation should have been the first clue that what destroys nature will in due time destroy us. We are the cause for this mess; but we should have been notified much earlier about the potential risk associated with Agent Orange. According to the Executive Summary on Operations Trail Dust and Ranch Hand, "On April 17,1995 Researchers have found that during the spraying of Agent Orange in southern Vietnam, dioxin levels in human tissue were as high as 900 times greater in Vietnamese living in southern Vietnam than those living in Northern Vietnam where Agent Orange was not used."(Arison5) It was not until 1993, when the Institute of Medicine News reported, "Evidence exists linking three cancers and two other health problems with chemicals used in herbicides used in the Vietnam War, a committee of the Institute of Medicine has concluded. Those diseases are soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease as well as chloracne and prophyria cutanea tarda (PCT)."(Turner-Lowe1) An explanation of each disease follows: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma refers to any group of cancers of lymphoid tissues that multiply. These are found mainly in the lymph nodes and the spleen. The symptoms are related to painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck or groin region. There is an attempted

Digoxin toxicity. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index and chronic toxicity is more likely in the elderly and those with renal impairment. Since Mr Buchanan is 75 years old, he may already have some form of renal impairment and therefore is at a higher risk of developing toxic serums levels if continually taking Digoxin (Australian Medicines Handbook, 2016 and Nickson, 2014). Digoxin toxicity can be caused by prolonged use, an overdose or a general increase in the current dose (Australian Medicines Handbook, 2016). If Mr Buchanan is taking digoxin for an extended amount of time, he may build up a tolerance to its effects due to being consistently exposed to the drug (Australian Medicines Handbook, 2016). This is significant risk

During recent years, numerous newspaper and magazine articles have suggested that humans may be at risk because small amounts of well known environmental contaminants, such as dioxin, PCBs and DDT, can affect hormone levels. Hormones are produced by the endocrine system as regulators of biological function in target organs. Because hormones play a critical role in early development, toxicological effects on the endocrine system often have an impact on the reproductive system. The term endocrine disruptor is used to describe chemicals that can mimic hormones and may either enhance or counteract their effects. It has been suggested that these hormone changes can, in turn, lead to a variety of health problems

PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) and dioxins have been in focus recently as there are concerns that the different structures are appearing to mimic the effects of female oestrogenic hormones. (Gray 1996) These chemicals can cause genetic chromosomal problems and major concerns to the reproductive effectiveness of marine animals. Oil spills and the burning of wood and coal can cause poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which has a negative effect on all wildlife causing genetic abnormalities. (EMCBTAP-ENVIS Newsletter 2002).

The common routes of exposure to DDT, and DDE occurs mostly from eating foods containing small amounts of these compounds, particularly meat, fish and poultry. Exposure may also occur with contact with DDT residues in airborne dust. (Fisher et al, 2003).