Dioxin's Are Badddd News!

Dioxins Poisoned Viktor Yushchenko, But What Are They?
Health News
December 12, 2004

Doctors have confirmed Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned by dioxins. But what are dioxins and what effect do they have on humans?

"Dioxins" refers to a group of chemical compounds that share certain chemical structures and biological characteristics. Dioxin is the common name used to refer to the chemical tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or TCDD. These chemicals are produced during combustion processes, such as waste incineration, forest fires and backyard trash burning, and during manufacturing processes such as herbicide manufacture and paper manufacture. e.g. dioxin was a contaminant of the herbicide Agent Orange used as a defoliant by U.S. forces in Vietnam.

High level dioxin exposure has been associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, increased heart disease, increased diabetes, and decreased liver function.

Dioxin exposure also causes a skin condition called "Chloracne," and experts believe this is the condition responsible for the disfigurement of Viktor Yushchenko's face. Chloracne is a severe skin disease with acne-like lesions that occur mainly on the face and upper body. It can take several years for this condition disappear, but it does not pose a health hazard. High level Dioxin exposure can also cause death.