dioxin

[ dahy-ok-sin ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a general name for a family of chlorinated hydrocarbons, C 12 H 4 Cl 4 O 2 , typically used to refer to one isomer, TCDD, a by-product of pesticide manufacture: a toxic compound that is carcinogenic and teratogenic in certain animals.

dioxin

/ daɪˈɒksɪn /

noun

1. any of a number of mostly poisonous chemical by-products of the manufacture of certain herbicides and bactericides, esp the extremely toxic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin

dioxin

/ dī-ŏk′sĭn /

1. Any of several toxic hydrocarbons that occur as impurities in petroleum-derived herbicides, disinfectants, and other products. Dioxins are composed of two benzene rings connected by two oxygen atoms, and the most familiar kind, called TCDD, has two chlorine atoms attached to each benzene ring. TCDD was once thought to cause cancer and birth defects, but subsequent research showed it to have only mild toxic effects except at very high exposure levels.

dioxin

1. A group of pollutants created as by-products in many industrial processes. Dioxins accumulate in human tissue and affect human metabolism . They are carcinogens. Eliminating dioxins is an important goal of environmental policy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dioxin¹

First recorded in 1965–70; di- ¹ + ox- + -in ²

Example Sentences

In addition, he said, 608 degrees — the reaction temperature cited — is the temperature “where dioxins like to form. So, that could be a challenge.”

From Los Angeles Times

However, because they’re near the bottom of the food chain, shrimp don’t generally tend to accumulate the environmental toxins, like mercury or dioxins, found in big predators such as tuna or swordfish.

From Seattle Times

At the end of the plastic life cycle, incinerators and landfills can release PFAS, dioxins, PCBs, and other endocrine disruptors as air or soil pollution — some of which may contaminate nearby food supplies.

From Salon

These devices may also contain dioxins that can harm a person's lungs, or cobalt that irritates the skin, eyes, nose and throat.

From Salon

Haynes said blood tests performed on a handful of residents last summer revealed that none had alarming levels of the cancer-causing dioxins that were feared to be released when the chemicals burned.

From Seattle Times