Hideaki Miyata

Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University
(45-1, Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka 573-01 Japan)

Abstract

All dioxin analogues composed of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar PCBs (Co-PCBs) are very toxic. Even at the environmental pollution level, it has been revealed that they cause hormonal damage in women. It has also been pointed out that they can lead to immunosuppression and damage genital functions in humans. Therefore, in recent years, U.S.A., Canada and European countries have actively taken measures to decrease environmental pollution levels. Taking the above circumstances into consideration, this paper explains the biologically adverse effects and the real situation concerning environmental pollution by dioxin analogues, as well as other problem points through papers from inside and outside the country. It also includes our reports. In addition, risk assessment on recent human exposure to environmental dioxin was carried out using tolerable daily intake (TDI) . This paper also refers to the establishment bases of TDI in Japan and in foreign countries.

Key words: dioxin analogues, toxicity, environmental pollution, tolerable daily intake, environmental risk assessment