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Dioxins and Furans

Dioxins and furans is the abbreviated or short name for a family of toxic substances that all

share a similar chemical structure. Dioxins, in their purest form, look like crystals or a

colorless solid. Most dioxins and furans are not man-made or produced intentionally, but

are created when other chemicals or products are made. Of all of the dioxins and furans,

one, 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-p-dibenzo-dioxin (2,3,7,8 TCDD) is considered the most toxic.

Dioxins and furans are not made for any specific purpose; however, they are created

when products like herbicides are made. They are also created in the pulp and paper industry,

from a process that bleaches the wood pulp. In addition, they can be produced when

products are burned.

Dioxins and furans can enter your body through breathing contaminated air, drinking

contaminated water or eating contaminated food. About 90% of exposure to dioxins and

furans is from eating contaminated food. Dioxins and furans can build up in the fatty

tissues of animals.

There are several sources of exposure to dioxins and furans. If you work in or near a

municipal solid waste incinerator, copper smelter, cement kiln or coal fired power plant

you can be exposed to dioxins and furans Individuals who burn their household waste or

burn wood can be exposed as well. Even forest fires can contribute to the creation of

small amounts of dioxins and furans.

Dioxins and furans have been found in the air, soil, and food. Dioxins and furans are mainly

distributed through the air. However, only a small percentage of exposure is from air.

Eating contaminated food is the primary source of exposure.

Dioxins and furans can cause a number of health effects. The most well known member

of the dioxins/furans family is 2,3,7,8 TCDD. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) has said that it is likely to be a cancer causing substance to humans. In addition,

people exposed to dioxins and furans have experienced changes in hormone levels. High

doses of dioxin have caused a skin diseased called chloracne. Animal studies show that

animals exposed to dioxins and furans experienced changes in their hormone systems,

changes in the development of the fetus, decreased ability to reproduce and suppressed

immune system.

Even small amounts of dioxins and furans can be harmful. The U.S. EPA has set a limit of

0.00003 micrograms of 2,3,7,8-TCDD per liter of drinking water (ug/L). The Food

and Drug Administration recommends not eating fish and shell fish with more than 50 parts

per trillion (50 ppt) of 2,3,7,8-TCDD.

Plasma Systems

Those offering plasma waste systems generally claim that all dioxins and furans are destroyed by the intense heat.

However, some challenge these claims and believe that such plasma systems can emit dioxins and furans.

Advanced Energy and TrueFuel

Facing this challenge, our new system is specifically designed to virtually eliminate dioxins and furans.