What are Dioxins ? How does it effect our & family's Health ? Read to know 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.
Children are more susceptible to dioxin exposure than adults, and exposure to dioxins can cause developmental problems in children, lead to reproductive and infertility problems in adults, result in miscarriages, damage the immune system, and interfere with hormones 34.
It is important to be aware of the potential health hazards of dioxins in animal fat 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, it is important to be aware of the potential health hazards of dioxins in animal fat and to 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 our health and 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]: [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency](https://www.epa.gov/dioxin/learn-about-dioxin)
[^3^][3]: [National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)](https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/dioxins/index.cfm)
[^4^][4]: [Illinois Department of Public Health](https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/toxicology/hazardous-substances/dioxins.html)