Dioxins are created as unintended by-products of incomplete combustion, or as a contaminant in chemical manufacturing processes. Although dioxin is released into the environment in small quantities, it builds up in soils, sediments and plants, bioaccumulates in animal and fish tissue, and is then passed up the food chain to people. Dioxin is a potent animal toxicant with the potential to produce a broad range of adverse effects in humans including reproductive effects, developmental effects, suppression of the immune system and cancer. New scientific information now confirms that dioxin is a known human carcinogen . In addition, recent research shows that dioxin is far more toxic than originally believed and that the amount of dioxin now found in the bodies of members of the general population closely approaches the levels at which adverse effects may occur.
Children are particularly vulnerable to health effects from dioxin.
Wildlife is also affected by dioxin exposure resulting in low fertility and reproductive rates, low birth weights and developmental problems. State and federal regulatory programs to reduce dioxin emissions from several large source categories have been in place for several years and much progress has already been made. But dioxin is still being produced at levels of concern and is accumulating in our environment. As a result, DES developed the New Hampshire Dioxin Reduction Strategy . The goal of the Strategy is to identify the major sources of dioxin and recommend actions to substantially reduce dioxin exposure in New Hampshire.