Dioxin Levels in Children

Dioxin is a well known carcinogen that is also an endocrine disrupter. It is commonly produced as an industrial byproduct. Avoiding exposure to dioxin in today's world is not practical. Unfortunately, this substance has far-reaching consequences. Apart from passing it to their unborn babies, studies have shown that women who are exposed to dioxin pass it in breast milk. The formula given to babies too is not safe, as it has been shown to contain dioxin.

The Environmental Protection Agency has set levels of exposure that are considered to be safe. According to studies conducted by the Environmental Working Group, nursing infants often ingest an amount of dioxin that is more than 77 times higher than the safe level!  The adults are usually exposed to a level that is 1,200 times higher than the recommended safe levels. The dioxin usually comes from eating shellfish, dairy, and meat.

The effects of dioxin have been documented extensively because it is quite common. It is produced from the manufacture of pesticides, chlorine bleaching, smelting, and incineration. According to recent studies, prolonged low-level exposure to dioxin may lead to cancer, diabetes, endometriosis, heart problems, low levels of thyroid and testosterone hormones, as well as early menopause.

It is alarming to note that EPA first raised concerns about dioxin about thirty years ago. Even the safe levels that are proposed, which infants surpass almost 80 times, is still high, according to many advocates of environmental health. However, it is at least a step forward.