Pollution Situation and Health Effect of Dioxins

As persistent toxic pollutants, dioxins, either direct or indirect exposure, are seriously harmful to human. In order to better understand the human exposure to dioxins, the current status of dioxins pollution in the air, water body and food as well as the occupational exposure risk was summarized. The detailed comparisons of the TEQ concentrations of dioxins in the air in industrial cities both at home and aboard were made. It showed that the pollution level of PCDD/Fs in Guangzhou city, etc. was high, bringing about great security risk to the health of residents. Although there lack representative data of water pollution of dioxins in China, by making a comparison of the TEQ concentrations of dioxins in water samples from Dongting lake (0.28 pg-TEQ/L) and ground water in Japan(0.055 pg-TEQ/L), it reflects that some part of the water body has been polluted. Diet is the main exposure pathway to dioxins for common people. An assessment of dioxins concentrations in food from Bien Hoa and Da Nang in View Nam was carried out ,which shows that chicken and eggs of stocking-style chicken, freshwater fish, snails and beef contain more dioxins and furans, while the captive-style chicken and eggs, seafood, pork, leafy vegetables, fruits and rice, etc. have relatively low levels of dioxins. The concentrations of dioxins in typical biomarkers such as blood and hair after occupational exposure were compared to that of general people, and it finds that the former is several times higher than the latter. The management mechanisms of main pollution sources are imperfect. Some suggestions were proposed to carry out pollution control and long-term supervision of dioxins, including: gradually establishing dioxins emission limits and management policies for different sources and various environmental media; gradually launching pilot works of total dioxins emissions control in key areas; gradually updating and improving dioxins emission inventory in China; developing simple, rapid and inexpensive method of analyzing and monitoring techniques for dioxins exposure; and the public raising awareness of self-protection, adjusting the dietary structures and increasing awareness of the right to be informed.