The Latest In . . . Blood Dioxin Level A vegan man in Oregon has registered the lowest dioxin level ever measured in human blood, according to an American Chemical Society presentation by Olaf P pke on March 23.
Dioxins are toxic byproducts of industrial processes and combustion.
They accumulate in animal fat, including that of humans who eat meat or dairy products. Because fatty breast tissue accumulates dioxin, a woman gives up to half of her total body load of dioxin to her first breast-fed baby. The Centers for Disease Control are looking for mercury in fish-eaters. They expect to find the highest levels in those who have eaten the most fish for the longest period of time. Meanwhile, high mercury levels have turned up in San Francisco Bay fish, especially striped bass, catfish, and leopard shark.