What are dioxins?
“Dioxins” refer to a group of chemical compounds which share certain similar chemical structures and may share certain biological characteristics. They are an unwanted by-product of combustion, both from natural sources like forest fires and from man-made sources like power plants, incinerators and industrial processes, home-heating and backyard waste burning. In New Zealand the largest single source of dioxins today in the air (39%) is from landfill fires (see Ministry for the Environment FAQ ) Dioxins released into the air during combustion can be carried long distances before settling to the ground. As a result, they are found everywhere at low levels. The term “current background” is used to refer to the average levels of dioxins in the environment today. Dioxins are solids which adhere tightly to soil. They break down in the environment slowly. Because they are so widespread, dioxins exist in every living creature, including humans. The primary way people are exposed to dioxins is
