DIOXINS: A THREAT TO MANKIND
Sadigli Lyaman
Baku Higher Oil School
laman.sadikhli@gmail.com
Supervisor: Zargarova Sevda
Introduction
In the middle of the 20th century the ilness called AIDS took its toll. Millions of
people were a victim of this dangerous virus. However, humanity was not aware of
another fatal danger. Nowadays, people suffer from more, maybe the most
alarming attack. This is called-Dioxin, “Chemical AIDS”.
The purpose of this work is to look at the mentioned issue, to which problems does
it cause and which measurements can be taken in order to liquidate this danger.
Although it is the one of the main problems of the mankind, unfortunately not
everyone is aware, and not everyone is able to eradicate this problem.
I will try to make clear definition of dioxins and at the end highlight how we can
tackle with them.
What is dioxin and why are they so dangerous?
Dioxins are the most toxic chemicals that was ever known to science. It is a
general term that describes a group of hundreds of chemicals that are highly
persistent in the environment. The most toxic compound is 2, 3, 7, 8tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or TCDD. The toxicity of other dioxins and chemicals
like PCBs that act like dioxin are measured in relation to TCDD.
Dioxin is a cancer hazard to people. In addition to cancer, exposure to dioxin can
also cause severe reproductive and developmental problems (at levels 100 times
lower than those associated with its cancer causing effects). Dioxin is well-known
for its ability to damage the immune system and interfere with hormonal systems.
Dioxin sources
The major sources of dioxin are in our diet. Since dioxin is fat-soluble, it
bioaccumulates, climbing up the food chain. Dioxins are though
as hydrophobic (water-fearing) and lipophilic (fat-loving). This means that dioxin,
when it settles on water bodies, will rapidly accumulate in fish rather than remain
in the water. The same goes for other wildlife. Dioxin works its way to the top of
the food chain.
Problem solution
Nowadays, protection from dioxins is the main problem that should be
immediately eraticated. In developed countries food is analyzing for dioxin very
strictly. Proper incineration of contaminated material is the best available method
of preventing and controlling exposure to dioxins. It can also destroy PCB-based
waste oils. The incineration process requires high temperatures, over 850°C. For
the destruction of large amounts of contaminated material, even higher
temperatures - 1000°C or more - are required.
It is a pity that in our country dioxins had not been yet monitored. Dioxin
laboratories should be built up. At least antidioxin society has to make more people
aware of this danger. More awareness means more aspiration to act.