What are the sources of dioxin contamination?
Dioxins are mainly by-products of industrial processes but can also result from natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. These compounds are also unwanted by-products formed when thermal processes produce chlorine-containing organic substances. Dioxins are unwanted by-products of a wide range of manufacturing processes including smelting, bleaching of paper pulp and the manufacturing of some herbicides and pesticides. In terms of dioxin release into the environment, solid waste incinerators are the worst culprits due to incomplete combustion. Dioxins are found throughout the world in practically all media, including air, soil, water, sediment, and food, especially dairy products, meat, fish and shellfish. The highest levels of these compounds are found in some soils, sediments and animals. Very low levels are found in water and air. Extensive stores of waste industrial oils with high levels of dioxins exist throughout the world. Long term storage of this material
