Dioxin poisoning

Acute dioxin poisoning of humans is characterized by latent period lasting 1-4 weeks after poison is getting into the human body [3],... 

Dioxin is a poison of polytropic action, affecting actually all the organs and systems of the body. The most typical manifestations of dioxin poisoning are skin affections, such as chloracne. 

Dioxin poisoning has recently been in the news again, as it was believed to have been the agent used in an attempt to poison the Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko in 2004. It was reported that dioxin was detected in his blood at 6,000 times the level expected in a human. His face is now disfigured by chloracne, a known effect of this poisoning. It remains to be seen what other toxic effects become apparent. 

The effect of dioxin poisoning on the Ukrainian politician Viktor... 

FIGURE 18.3. Dioxin poisoning - Ukrainian former Prime Minister and presidential candidate Mr Viktor Yushchenko, with his face disfigured hy illness due to dioxin poisoning. Photo sorrrce www.tnindfldly.org date November 19, 2004 (accessed on July 13, 2008). 

Expensive biological measures, including blood and adipose levels of TCDD, do not correlate with clinical symptoms (Demers and Perrin 1995). Elevated liver function tests in the presence of chloracne indicate exposure. Dioxin has no antidote, and most symptoms require supportive management. No specific literature addresses psychiatric treatment issues of dioxin poisoning. In most exposures to an unknown herbicide, fumigant, or pesticide, the clinical evaluation should proceed as described in Chapter 4. 

Use of some biomass feedstocks can increase potential environmental risks. Municipal solid waste can contain toxic materials that can produce dioxins and other poisons in the flue gas, and these should not be burned without special emission controls. Demolition wood can contain lead from paint, other heavy metals, creosote, and halides used in presen a-tive treatments. Sewage sludge has a high amount of sulfur, and sulfur dioxide emission can increase if sewage sludge is used as a feedstock. 

In mammals, phenobarbital and phenytoin increase serum ceruloplasmin concentrations (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). Chronic copper poisoning in sheep is exacerbated when diets contain heliotrope plants (Heliotropium sp., Echium spp., Senecio sp.). Aggravated effects of the heliotrope plants include reduced survival and a twofold to threefold increase in liver and kidney copper concentrations when compared to control animals fed copper without heliotropes (Howell et al. 1991). Rats given acutely toxic doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin had elevated concentrations of copper in liver and kidney because of impaired biliary excretion of copper (Elsenhans et al. 1991). Morphine increases copper concentrations in the central nervous system of rats, and dithiocarbam-ates inhibit biliary excretion (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). In human patients, urinary excretion of copper is increased after treatment with D-penicillamine, calcium disodium EDTA, or calcium trisodium diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid (Flora 1991). 

At high doses dioxin causes a serious form of acne (chloracne), which appears to be Yuschenko s problem. If the poisoner s intention was to kill him, then he failed to select the right chemical. There are many far more effective acute poisons, as we shall see in the next chapter. 

Chlorinated organic compounds (dioxins, other halocarbons) Combustion of municipal wastes, paper processing, cleaning solvents Toxic effects including birth defects, reproductive failure, cancer, and systemic poisoning. 

How heavy this responsibility is, resting on the shoulders of the analytical chemist He is the one who, in the first place, is responsible for the forced closing of a dioxin-delinquent waste incineration plant, for the approval of a new non-persistent pesticide, for the demotion of an athlete from his Olympic title for having used illegal drugs, for the identification of a criminal by the traces of gunpowder on his hands, for the quantification of environmental contaminants, for the detection of diabetes, or the detection of poisoning, for the establishment and the enforcement of standards used in world trade. The analyst, with his power to say yes or no , is one of the most influential of our contemporaries ... 

Bombick DW, Matsumura F. 1987. TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) causes an increase in protein tryosine kinase activities at an early stage of poisoning in vivo in rat hepatocyte membranes. Life Sci 41 429-436. 

Goldman PJ. 1973. [Severest acute chloracne. A mass poisoning by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.] Hautarzt 24 149-152. (German)... 

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