According to the EPA, dioxins are highly toxic, and they take a very long time to break down in the environment, meaning they are classified as POPS, persistent organic pollutants. These very toxic chemical compounds came to the attention of the public during the Vietnam war, when Agent Orange and other such agents were used by the US military to defoliate vegetation hiding enemy troops. From the severe health effects that exposed veterans suffered, during and years after the war, we learned a lot about the serious harm to humans and the environment caused by these poisons.

            The EPA says that dioxins are now found in the environment, throughout the world. Exposure has been associated with all types of cancer, skin conditions, compromised immunity, bone deformities and hormonal imbalances. Spina Bifida in children of Agent-Orange exposed veterans is just one piece of evidence connecting dioxin exposure to reproductive and developmental problems.

            Dioxins accumulate in the food chain and are stored in the fat cells of animals. This is why the EPA has estimated that 90% of the current human exposure to dioxins is through consuming animal fats in meat, dairy products, shellfish and fish. Contamination of industrially produced feed has been the problem with farm or factory-raised animals. Water and sediment contamination and bioaccumulation affect seafood. (Big fish get more dioxin as they eat smaller contaminated fish.)

            However, there are other sources of exposure people […]