How many died in the Seveso disaster?
No human deaths were attributed to TCDD but many individuals fell ill. 26 pregnant women who had been exposed to the release had abortions. Thousands of animals in the contaminated area died and many thousands more were slaughtered to prevent TCDD entering the food chain.
What was the Seveso dioxin cloud?
On July 10, 1976, a valve broke at the Industrie Chimiche Meda Società Azionaria (ICMESA) chemical plant in Meda, just north of Milan, Italy. This accident resulted in the release of a chemical cloud containing the highly toxic dioxin TCDD.
What health problems did the Seveso disaster cause?
An excess mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases was uncovered, possibly related to the psychosocial consequences of the accident in addition to the chemical contamination. An excess of diabetes cases was also found.
How did the Seveso disaster affect humans?
Three decades after an accident at a chemical factory in Seveso, Italy in 1976, which resulted in exposure of a residential population to the most dangerous type of dioxin, newborn babies born to mothers living in the contaminated area at the time of the accident are over six times more likely to have altered thyroid …
What is the dioxin chemical?
Dioxins are called persistent organic pollutants (POPs), meaning they take a long time to break down once they are in the environment. Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system, and can interfere with hormones.
What is dioxin used for?
Dioxins have no common uses. They are manufactured on a small scale for chemical and toxicological research, but mostly exist as by-products of industrial processes such as bleaching paper pulp, pesticide manufacture, and combustion processes such as incineration.
Is dioxin harmful to humans?
Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer. Due to the omnipresence of dioxins, all people have background exposure, which is not expected to affect human health.
Is dioxin banned?
In 1979, the EPA banned the manufacture of products containing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) some of which are included under the term dioxin. Consumers should eat a balanced diet and follow the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Each food group provides important nutrients needed for health.
Can you buy dioxin?
Manufacturers can no longer produce dioxins in the U.S., but these substances are present in the environment and possibly in the food chain. Exposure to dioxins increases the risk of cancer and some developmental and reproductive problems.
What is COMAH used for?
The Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations ensure that businesses take all necessary measures to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances and limit the consequences to people and the environment of any major accidents which occur.
What does COMAH cover?
COMAH aims to prevent and mitigate the effects of major accidents involving dangerous substances which can cause serious damage/harm to people and/or the environment. COMAH treats risks to the environment as seriously as those to people.