Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds
Overview
Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLC) are by-products of various industrial processes, and are commonly regarded as highly toxic compound
s that are environmental pollutants and persistent organic pollutant
s (POPs). They include:
Compound
Compound may refer to:* Chemical compounds, combinations of two or more elements* Compound , a cluster of buildings having a shared purpose, usually inside a fence or wall...
s that are environmental pollutants and persistent organic pollutant
Persistent organic pollutant
thumb|right|275px|State parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic PollutantsPersistent organic pollutants are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes...
s (POPs). They include:
- Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), or simply, but inaccurately, dioxins. Technically PCDDs are derivatives of dibenzo-p-dioxinDibenzodioxinDibenzo-p-dioxin or dibenzo-1,4-dioxin is an organic heterocyclic compound in which two benzene rings are connected by a 1,4-dioxin ring. Its molecular formula is C12H8O2...
. There are 75 PCDDs, and seven of them are specifically toxic. - Polychlorinated dibenzofuransPolychlorinated dibenzofuransPolychlorinated dibenzofurans are a group of halogenated organic compounds which are toxic environmental pollutants. They are known teratogens, mutagens, and suspected human carcinogens. PCDFs tend to co-occur with polychlorinated dibenzodioxins...
(PCDFs), or simply furans.