Document omd6BOV85eJyBQNybq27RJV87

Dpor<m*nf of Sociol S*rvie#t MISSOURI DIVISION OF HEALTH Division of Health Advisory on Health Effects of Dioxin "Dioxin" is the term used to describe a number of chemical substances characterized by two phenol rings linked together through two oxygen atoms. When halogenated (the addition of chlorine or bromine atoms to the phenol rin g s), these dioxins can be extremely toxic to animals and humans. The most important of these dioxins is 2, 3, 7, 8 - tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, illu strate d as: SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER. This compound is the most toxic of the dioxin group and has been shown to have severe acute and chronic effects on health. Acute toxicity of 2, 3, 7, 8 - TCDD, as determined in laboratory animals, is exceeded only by botulinum, tetanus and diphtheria toxin. In other words, 2, 3, 7, 8 - TCDD is 2000 times more toxic than strychnine and 150,000 times more toxic than cyanide. As compared to other poisons, very small amounts of 2, 3, 7, 8 TCDD can be le th a l. Chronic effects of 2, 3, 7, 8 - TCDD can be many and varied. From past incidents. these effects may Include: (1) dermatologic syndromes, for example, chloracne and porphyria cutanea tarda; (2) hepatic (liv e r) problems, for example, necrosis, in sufficiency and bile duct hyperplasia and increased levels of serum b iliru bin and alkaline phosphotase which indicate some damage to the liv e r; (3) renal (kidney) problems, for example, decreased kidney function and excretion; (4) endo crine (hormone) effects, for example, acne, hirsutism (Increased hair growth) and loss of lib id o (sex drive); (5) immunologic effects, for example, increased 236G32 su sce p tib ility to bacteriological infection; (6) hematologic (blood) effects, for example, anemia, thrombocytopenia (increased clotting time) and leukopenia (decreased white blood c e lls); (7) gastrointestinal (stomach and intestine) effects, for example, decreased absorption of nutrients; and, (8) neuropsychiatric (mental and nerve) effects, for example, behavioral changes (increased ir r it a b ilit y and restlessness) and weakness and pain or lack of sensation in the lower extremities. Additionally, low-level exposure to 2, 3, 7, 8 - TCDD may involve teratogenic (birth defects) and fetotoxic (spontaneous abortion or s t illb ir t h ) effects; carcinogenic (cancer causing) ac tivity has been observed in animal studies. The D ivision of Health advises you to avoid exposure to known sources of dioxin; the D ivision also advised you to contact your family physician if you think you have suffered any of the above liste d symptoms as a result of past exposure to dioxin-containing material. The D ivision of Health w ill consult with your physician 1f requested. CONFIDE? ITIAL SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER. i 238633