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The 'Darth Vader' of chemicals in your food?

The EPA recently formally listed dioxins as a carcinogen. Whether you know it or not, you are probably ingesting or inhaling these chemicals. Dioxins have natural and man-made sources, with the majority of them being produced as by-products of industrial bleaching of consumer products, like paper products. The end products (coffee filters, paper plates, cups, etc.) may leach dioxins into the food you're putting on or in those products. When products containing dioxins are burned, the chemicals are released into the air and can put you at risk of inhaling them. One researcher calls dioxin the "Darth Vader" of toxic chemicals because it can severely impact so many parts of our bodies. The EPA report released suggests ways to decrease one's exposure to this dangerous chemical, such as reducing your intake of fatty foods. (Animals tend to accumulate some toxins in their fatty tissue. When we eat fatty meats or dairy products, our risk increases.) The White House and the EPA have agreed to increase efforts at limiting the release and production of dioxins.

Sun, 24 Sep 2000 11:08:28 -0700

Submitted by: Paula Jasinski