Large amounts of dioxin must be ingested to display toxic effects. One public health measure to reduce the amount of ingested environmental toxins is to warn those who eat a large amount of fish taken from contaminated waters. PVC is used rarely in hospitals. Mercury is a reproductive toxin, preventing the brain and nervous system from developing normally. Dioxin bioaccumulates in the fatty tissue of animals and enters the food chain in this manner.
Breast milk is a negligible source of dioxin for infants.
Dioxin is a potent carcinogen and endocrine disrupter, causing hormone and reproductive problems. Mercury bioaccumulates in the muscle of fish, entering the food chain in this manner.