DIOXINS Meaning and
Definition
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Dioxins are a group of highly toxic and persistent chemicals that belong to the class of environmental pollutants known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). They are formed as byproducts of certain industrial processes involving the combustion of organic materials, such as waste incineration, as well as through natural processes like forest fires and volcanic eruptions. Dioxins can also be found as impurities in some pesticides and herbicides.
Dioxins are infamous for their ability to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain, which means they can build up in the fatty tissues of animals and humans over time. Their toxic properties are primarily associated with their capacity to cause a range of adverse health effects, including cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders, immune system impairment, and endocrine disruption.
These chemicals are known for their environmental persistence, as they can remain in the environment for many years without breaking down. Due to their stability and ability to travel long distances, dioxins can be transported over great distances and contaminate areas far away from their original source.
As dioxins are extremely hazardous substances, rigorous control measures have been implemented to limit their production and exposure. International treaties and regulations, such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, aim to minimize and ultimately eliminate the release of dioxins and other POPs into the environment, thereby reducing the risks they pose to human health and the ecosystem.
Common Misspellings for DIOXINS
Etymology of DIOXINS
The word "dioxins" is derived from the chemical names of the compounds it refers to. Dioxins are a group of highly toxic chemical compounds that are part of the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) families. The name "dioxin" itself is a combination of two parts: "di-" meaning two, and "oxin" referring to oxygen. This name reflects the molecular structure of these compounds, which consists of two benzene rings connected by two oxygen atoms. The chlorinated forms of dioxins are referred to as "polychlorinated" due to the presence of multiple chlorine atoms in the molecules.
Similar spelling words for DIOXINS
- dicussions,
- Dioxanes,
- toxines,
- Dickson's,
- taxanes,
- dicksoniaceae,
- taxons,
- dixons,
- Texans,
- texians,
- Dixon's,
- dioicousness,
- diaxons,
- DexonS,
- tocsins,
- anti-toxins,
- Toxins,
- dioxans.
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