dictionary help| dioxin | medical dictionary |
Any in a family of over 200 chlorinated organic chemicals (allheterocyclic hydrocarbons). The term is most commonly applied to a particular chemical, 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-paradioxin (2, 3, 7, 8-TCDD, simply called TCDD), which is an impurity in the defoliant AgentOrange and in the pesticide 2, 4, 5-T(see auxin). Dioxins are also producedwhenchlorinated materials such as plastics are burned. Dioxins are knownto cause skin diseases (chloracne), birth defects, miscarriages, and cancer.
(09 Oct 1997)
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