Subject: Dioxin Makes the List of Known Carcinogens-------
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 17:30:20 -0500
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State
of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation
cc: Carol Browner browner.carol@epa.gov
Dear Mr. Helliker, I
thought you might like to read an article dated: Friday, January 19, 2001 -
5:41 PM ET entitled: Dioxin Makes the List of Known Carcinogens.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The government has placed a
type of dioxin called TCDD on the list of substances that are known
carcinogens.
The announcement was made by the National Toxicology
Program on Friday and is based on ``sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity
from studies in humans,'' according to a statement released by the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a branch of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). It is now clear that there is ``a causal
relationship between exposure to TCDD and human cancer,'' the group said.
The term ``dioxins'' refers to a group of compounds that
share a certain chemical structure and biological characteristic. Sometimes
the term dioxin is also used to refer to the most well-studied and one of the
most toxic dioxins, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), according to
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
``TCDD is not deliberately produced today but has been
found as a contaminant in some herbicides and pesticides, and is formed as an
inadvertent by-product of incineration of waste,'' according to the NIH.
The chemical was scheduled to appear in the Ninth Report
on Carcinogens, released earlier this year, however the addition of TCDD was
held up due to litigation.
Dioxin can cause ``skin rashes, skin discoloration,
excessive body hair and possibly mild liver damage,'' according to the EPA.
``Because dioxins exist throughout the environment,
almost every living creature including humans has been exposed to dioxins,''
according to the EPA. ``The health effects associated with dioxins depend on a
variety of factors including: the level of exposure, when someone was exposed,
and how long and how often. Because dioxins are so widespread, we all have
some dioxins in our bodies.''
Dioxin came to public attention as the contaminant in
Agent Orange, a controversial herbicide used by US forces in Vietnam. In 1983,
the EPA forced the evacuation and demolition of the entire town of Times
Beach, Missouri, after the discovery of dioxin contamination on city streets.
Over the past 5 years, the EPA has imposed regulations on
major dioxin emitters, including
municipal waste combustors, medical waste incinerators, hazardous waste
incinerators, cement kilns that burn hazardous waste, pulp and paper
operations, and sources of PCBs.
One source likely to be targeted in the future is
uncontrolled residential waste burning, such as burning trash in backyards,
particularly in rural areas. The agency also is discussing the possible
regulation of other sources such as sludge disposal from privately owned
waste-treatment facilities and the regulation of other air sources of
pollution.
Well Mr. Helliker, it is interesting that EPA apparently
will continue to simply ignore the dioxin "contaminants" found in
"some" of your "registered" POISONS.
I would like to point out none of these dangerous
"contaminants" is even considered in your "risk" formula.
I for one would like to see that your "registered" POISON
labels at least note which of your "registered" POISONS is so
contaminated. I guess it would be to much to hope for, that there
would be some regulations forthcoming on the POISON producers who include this
"contaminant" in their POISON.
Respectfully, Stephen
L. Tvedten
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