"Expected Mothers and Hazards of Dioxins to the Unborn Child" - To Know read more....
Dioxins are a group of chemically related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs) 1. They are found throughout the world in the environment and they accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals. More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish 1. Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and cause cancer 1234.
Dioxins can be transferred from the mother to the fetus via the placenta during pregnancy and can lead to a variety of toxic effects 5. Long-term exposure to dioxins is linked to impairments of the immune and endocrine systems, reproductive function, and fetal neurological development 25. Male children exposed to an excess of dioxin during fetal development may experience sperm-related infertility issues in adulthood 5.
It is important for pregnant women to be aware of the potential health hazards of dioxins and to take steps to reduce exposure. Prevention or reduction of human exposure is best done via source-directed measures, i.e. strict control of industrial processes to reduce formation of dioxins 1.
In conclusion, dioxins are highly toxic and can cause a range of health problems, including reproductive and developmental problems. Pregnant women should be aware of the potential health hazards of dioxins and take steps to reduce exposure. By being mindful of the food we eat and the sources of our food, we can help reduce our exposure to these harmful compounds and protect the health of our children.
# References
[^1^][1]: [World Health Organization (WHO)](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dioxins-and-their-effects-on-human-health)
[^2^][2]: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
[^3^][3]: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
[^4^][4]: Illinois Department of Public Health
[^5^][5]: [Toxics | Free Full-Text | Dioxin-like Activity in Pregnant Women and ...]
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/10/1/26)