Workers in some industries could be exosed to dioxins, but simple precautions can cut levels considerably

HSE Press Release E188:02 - 3 October 2002

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the potential for dioxin exposure in the workplace found the highest levels at metal processing plants.

Scientists sampled air levels and some dust levels of dioxins at various UK worksites where combustion processes occur. A municipal waste incinerator and the landfill site that accepted waste from the incinerator had relatively low air levels of dioxins. On-site dust also showed low concentrations of dioxins. The highest air and dust levels of dioxins were found at metal processing sites, in particular aluminium recycling sites.

Dioxins are believed to have the potential to cause a variety of health effects, including cancer. Very high exposures can cause a disfiguring skin condition known as chloracne. Once someone has been exposed to dioxins, these chemicals remain in the body for many years and may accumulate.

Produced under certain circumstances when organic material is burnt, dioxins are a group of structurally-related organochlorine chemicals. Although they are destroyed at temperatures above 800 ^oC, they may be reformed on cooling if the constituents organic material and chlorine are still available.

Simple precautions should reduce dioxin levels considerably. On the recommendation of the Health and Safety Commission's Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances (ACTS), a Chemical Hazard Alert Notice (CHAN) is currently being issued to those industries affected and specific guidance will be issued to the aluminium recycling industry.

Colin Davy of HSE said:

"Dioxins can be produced in very small amounts in many combustion processes. As a result of this sampling exercise, we can target guidance to where it is most needed."

Notes to editors

1. Dioxins include both polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs).

2. The study was carried out by Health and Safety Laboratory and Lancaster University following concerns by the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs about the potential for occupational exposure to polychlorinated dioxins.

Dioxin exposure from work related activities RR 027 is available on HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/index.htm

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