increase in the probability of female births ( p-value ¼ 0.008) which was associated
with the higher concentrations of TCDD in the serum samples of fathers. Though
such reports have been made, biological explanation of such occurrences has not yet
been made. Michalek et al. (1998) and Rogan et al. (1988) studied a similar type of
pattern in other population where the dosage of TCDD exposure was much lower
than in Seveso, Italy. A retrospective cohort study from Seveso Women’s Health
Study on TCDD exposure and reproductive health over past 30 years reported no
association of serum TCDD with pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, gestation length
and fetal growth (Wesselink et al. 2014). Besides this, there have not been major
studies relating to the concentration of dioxin and furan exposure to the time of
pregnancy.
14.8 Future Considerations and Conclusions
Dioxins and furans being defined as persistent, possessing characteristics of
bioaccumulation, being highly stable and having a very high half-life, with a high
range of atmospheric transport, are likely to produce several adverse effects on
human health as well as the environment. Keeping in pace with the scientific
advancements, it is possible to assess the risk associated with dioxin and furan
incorporation into the environment. It is high time that the human associate the
regulatory focus of emitted dioxins and furans along with the strategies to limit or
stop emissions of such chemicals. A complete understanding and knowledge of
formation and mechanism of action of dioxins and furans will help us a long way in
battling effects that have on the environment as well as humans. Being identified as
POPs, many countries including Hungary, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Slovakia,
Slovenia and Croatia have already agreed to limit the total annual emissions of
identified POPs, few among them being dioxins and furans. These countries have
agreed to take effective measures under the circumstances of abnormal levels of POP
emission with a set reference value. The year 1990 is set as a reference value year;
the emission levels at any point of time should be less than that of the emissions that
happened during the year 1990. Many of the Asian countries including India have
taken an extensive measurement in reducing the emission levels of POPs. Such toxic
and extremely harmful chemical compounds should be eliminated using existing
advanced technologies to provide a healthy and better environment for the future
generation.
14.8.1 Better Understanding and Identification of Sources
Over the past few decades, there have been several cases of dioxin and furan
contamination into the environment. During the early stages, it was due to
the incineration of chlorinated compounds. Later, this contamination was due to
the construction of individual household incinerators which led to a rapid increase in
the levels of dioxins and furans in the environment. Later during the same period,
414
J. G. A. Jeno et al.
with the higher concentrations of TCDD in the serum samples of fathers. Though
such reports have been made, biological explanation of such occurrences has not yet
been made. Michalek et al. (1998) and Rogan et al. (1988) studied a similar type of
pattern in other population where the dosage of TCDD exposure was much lower
than in Seveso, Italy. A retrospective cohort study from Seveso Women’s Health
Study on TCDD exposure and reproductive health over past 30 years reported no
association of serum TCDD with pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, gestation length
and fetal growth (Wesselink et al. 2014). Besides this, there have not been major
studies relating to the concentration of dioxin and furan exposure to the time of
pregnancy.
14.8 Future Considerations and Conclusions
Dioxins and furans being defined as persistent, possessing characteristics of
bioaccumulation, being highly stable and having a very high half-life, with a high
range of atmospheric transport, are likely to produce several adverse effects on
human health as well as the environment. Keeping in pace with the scientific
advancements, it is possible to assess the risk associated with dioxin and furan
incorporation into the environment. It is high time that the human associate the
regulatory focus of emitted dioxins and furans along with the strategies to limit or
stop emissions of such chemicals. A complete understanding and knowledge of
formation and mechanism of action of dioxins and furans will help us a long way in
battling effects that have on the environment as well as humans. Being identified as
POPs, many countries including Hungary, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Slovakia,
Slovenia and Croatia have already agreed to limit the total annual emissions of
identified POPs, few among them being dioxins and furans. These countries have
agreed to take effective measures under the circumstances of abnormal levels of POP
emission with a set reference value. The year 1990 is set as a reference value year;
the emission levels at any point of time should be less than that of the emissions that
happened during the year 1990. Many of the Asian countries including India have
taken an extensive measurement in reducing the emission levels of POPs. Such toxic
and extremely harmful chemical compounds should be eliminated using existing
advanced technologies to provide a healthy and better environment for the future
generation.
14.8.1 Better Understanding and Identification of Sources
Over the past few decades, there have been several cases of dioxin and furan
contamination into the environment. During the early stages, it was due to
the incineration of chlorinated compounds. Later, this contamination was due to
the construction of individual household incinerators which led to a rapid increase in
the levels of dioxins and furans in the environment. Later during the same period,
414
J. G. A. Jeno et al.