TCDD, more formally 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or often simply "dioxin", has been and continues to be a subject of controversy in the scientific community. Numerous papers present studies supporting or rejecting the hypothesis that dioxin is dangerous to humans. Some proclaim that industry is completely culpable for the dioxin that is put into the environment, and that TCDD is one of the deadliest molecules that man has ever made. However, industry is not the sole source of dioxin; it has been found in 8,000-year-old soil samples and can be produced by forest fires and enzymes in soil microorganisms. Moreover, on the basis of findings from epidemiologic cohort studies, dioxin appears not to be as potent a carcinogen or teratogen as popularly thought. In fact, through its antiestrogenic properties, dioxin may provide a weapon against breast cancer. Industry can reduce the amount of dioxin released by trapping it with fly ash and plastics. The reduction of chlorine content in incinerators has been suggested as another method to control emissions; but this may not help, because the correlation between chlorine and dioxin formation is not entirely clear.
More Information
Citation
Zimpleman, Jeffrey M. J. Chem. Educ.1999 76 1662.
Keywords
Public Understanding; Safety / Hazardous Materials; Environmental Chemistry; Chlorine; Introductory / High School Chemistry
The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.
Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students.
Occasionally, collections of JCE back issues become available for donation to individual teachers, schools, or libraries. JCE matches collections with interested recipients. Recipients pay shipping costs or pick up the collection.
For journals in other fields of chemistry visit ACS Publications.
Citation
Always in the