Thornton J, McCally M, Orris P, Weinberg J
Center for Environmental Research and Conservation, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Public Health Rep. 1996 Jul-Aug;111(4):298-313.
CHLORINATED DIOXINS and related compounds are extremely potent toxic substances, producing effects in humans and animals at extremely low doses. Because these compounds are persistent in the environment and accumulate in the food chain, they are now distributed globally, and every member of the human population is exposed to them, primarily through the food supply and mothers' milk. An emerging body of information suggests that dioxin contamination has reached a level that may pose a large-scale, long-term public health risk. Of particular concern are dioxin's effects on reproduction, development, immune system function, and carcinogenesis. Medical waste incineration is a major source of dioxins. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, as the dominant source of organically bound chlorine in the medical waste stream, is the primary cause of "iatrogenic" dioxin produced by the incineration of medical wastes. Health professionals have a responsibility to work to reduce dioxin exposure from medical sources. Health care institutions should implement policies to reduce the use of PVC plastics, thus achieving major reductions in medically related dioxin formation.
氯代二噁英及相关化合物是极具毒性的物质，在极低剂量下就能对人类和动物产生影响。由于这些化合物在环境中具有持久性，并在食物链中积累，它们现已遍布全球，每个人类成员都主要通过食物供应和母乳接触到它们。越来越多的信息表明，二噁英污染已达到可能构成大规模、长期公共卫生风险的程度。特别令人担忧的是二噁英对生殖、发育、免疫系统功能和致癌作用的影响。医疗废物焚烧是二噁英的主要来源。聚氯乙烯（PVC）塑料作为医疗废物流中有机结合氯的主要来源，是医疗废物焚烧产生“医源性”二噁英的主要原因。卫生专业人员有责任努力减少医疗源的二噁英暴露。医疗机构应实施政策减少PVC塑料的使用，从而大幅减少与医疗相关的二噁英形成。
