dioxins
Industrial combustion contaminants
Dioxins are highly toxic chlorinated compounds produced as byproducts of industrial processes—waste incineration, chemical manufacturing, and paper bleaching.
They persist in the environment and accumulate in animal fat, entering the food chain.
Exposure is linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and immune system damage.
Dioxin contamination forced the evacuation of Times Beach, Missouri.
Banned synthetic toxins
- Agent OrangeWartime defoliant chemical
- halogenatedBonded with reactive nonmetals
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
- herbicidesChemicals that destroy unwanted plants
contaminants · bioaccumulation · persistent · groundwater · soil · sediment · food chain · leaching
Burning waste to ash
- smeltingExtracting metal from ore
- bleachingChemical color removal
- manufacturingIndustrial product creation
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
refinery · steelworks · foundry · plastics · emissions · smokestack · byproduct
Causes cancer
- mutagenicCausing permanent DNA changes
- immunotoxicHarmful to body's defenses
- developmentalRelated to growth stages
- reproductiveRelated to producing offspring
cancer · tumor · half-life · lipophilic · fat-soluble · chronic · acute · poisoning
Pleasantly strong-smelling
- chlorinatedTreated with purifying halogen
- congenersChemically related compounds
- molecularOf tiny particles
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
isomers · structure · compound · hydrocarbons · organic
Federal environmental regulator
- POPsTechnical initialisms, two meanings
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- limitsImposed maximum points
- thresholdPoint of beginning
testing · compliance · enforcement · Superfund · cleanup · guidelines · banned · restricted
PCBs
Banned synthetic toxins
- Agent OrangeWartime defoliant chemical
- halogenatedBonded with reactive nonmetals
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
herbicides · contaminants · bioaccumulation · persistent · groundwater · soil · sediment · food chain · leaching · runoff
incineration
Burning waste to ash
- smeltingExtracting metal from ore
- bleachingChemical color removal
- manufacturingIndustrial product creation
combustion · refinery · steelworks · foundry · plastics · emissions · smokestack · byproduct
carcinogenic
Causes cancer
- mutagenicCausing permanent DNA changes
- immunotoxicHarmful to body's defenses
- developmentalRelated to growth stages
reproductive · cancer · tumor · half-life · lipophilic · fat-soluble · chronic · acute · poisoning
aromatic
Pleasantly strong-smelling
- chlorinatedTreated with purifying halogen
- congenersChemically related compounds
- molecularOf tiny particles
synthesis · isomers · structure · compound · hydrocarbons · organic
EPA
Federal environmental regulator
- POPsTechnical initialisms, two meanings
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- limitsImposed maximum points
threshold · testing · compliance · enforcement · Superfund · cleanup · guidelines · banned · restricted
- pollutionair pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, smog, toxic waste
- Contaminantspollutants, pollutant, heavy metals, toxin, pesticides
- hazardsfire hazard, fire hazards, toxin, contamination, tripping hazard
- Toxicspoison, poisons, toxins, toxicity, carcinogens
- Air Pollutantssmoke, smog, soot, exhaust, fumes
- carcinogensasbestos, benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, tobacco smoke
dioxinsnutrients
Vital dietary substances
antioxidants · vitamins · essential minerals · detoxifiers · phytonutrients