Glossary

Terms

Dioxins

Dioxins

Definition

Dioxins and furans are halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (compounds with carbons and hydrogen bound in a ring-format that has chlorine atoms attached to it). There are 75 different dioxins and 135 different furans. They are persistent organic pollutants, which can bioaccumulate in the body, potentially leading to cancer.

Related Terms

See also: Persistent organic pollutant (POP)