control of such constructions as well as metal processing of chlorine compounds
have reduced much of the contamination. In view of such a matter, an analysis was
performed by a European data agency reporting the creation of herbaria including
the sedimentary samples from all the contaminated sites. This would be helpful in
estimating the nature of sources over different periods of time and assessing them
according to different environmental patterns. The agency also suggested that the
government bodies would get access to contaminated samples of historical
accidents. This led to the establishment of the Soil Monitoring Agency (SMA) to
observe and maintain different sources of contamination of toxic chemicals or POPs
including dioxins and furans.
14.8.2 Understanding the Mechanism of Action
Effective understanding of the transfer of dioxins and furans from soil to plants, soil
to water and soil to air needs to be done carefully. Several agencies such as The
French Institute for Agronomy Research (INRA), The French National Center for
Scientific Research (CNRS) and Bureau for Geology and Mining Research (BRGM)
have studied the effect of microorganisms in degrading dioxins and furans. Such
areas of research should be appreciated and given more importance.
14.8.3 Development of New Techniques to Identify Contamination
Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) is a widely used assay method for
reference of dioxins and furans. Though being a highly sensitive method, the
presence of more than 210 different compounds and maximum variability between
different laboratories, it has become extremely difficult to interpret the results with
accuracy. The development of new biological and analytical assay methods for
identification of dioxins and furans would facilitate the survey methods to be
performed easily.
14.8.4 Development of Toxicological and Epidemiological Studies
The dose–response value of each compound of dioxins and furans needs to be
understood and studied in order to understand the effects on humans and the
environment. Several toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic methods are established by
scientific advisory groups to estimate the cut-off limit of each compound. Similarly,
epidemiological studies are necessary to assess the relation and distribution pattern
of diseases related to dioxin and furan contamination.
With all the scientific advancements and technologies, it becomes easier to study
the impact and its effects on humans and the environment. The most important effect
is the poisoning of the food chain from the contaminated sites of the food supply.
Similarly, animals and other organisms face the threat due to such harmful
14 Biological Implications of Dioxins/Furans Bioaccumulation in Ecosystems
415
have reduced much of the contamination. In view of such a matter, an analysis was
performed by a European data agency reporting the creation of herbaria including
the sedimentary samples from all the contaminated sites. This would be helpful in
estimating the nature of sources over different periods of time and assessing them
according to different environmental patterns. The agency also suggested that the
government bodies would get access to contaminated samples of historical
accidents. This led to the establishment of the Soil Monitoring Agency (SMA) to
observe and maintain different sources of contamination of toxic chemicals or POPs
including dioxins and furans.
14.8.2 Understanding the Mechanism of Action
Effective understanding of the transfer of dioxins and furans from soil to plants, soil
to water and soil to air needs to be done carefully. Several agencies such as The
French Institute for Agronomy Research (INRA), The French National Center for
Scientific Research (CNRS) and Bureau for Geology and Mining Research (BRGM)
have studied the effect of microorganisms in degrading dioxins and furans. Such
areas of research should be appreciated and given more importance.
14.8.3 Development of New Techniques to Identify Contamination
Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) is a widely used assay method for
reference of dioxins and furans. Though being a highly sensitive method, the
presence of more than 210 different compounds and maximum variability between
different laboratories, it has become extremely difficult to interpret the results with
accuracy. The development of new biological and analytical assay methods for
identification of dioxins and furans would facilitate the survey methods to be
performed easily.
14.8.4 Development of Toxicological and Epidemiological Studies
The dose–response value of each compound of dioxins and furans needs to be
understood and studied in order to understand the effects on humans and the
environment. Several toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic methods are established by
scientific advisory groups to estimate the cut-off limit of each compound. Similarly,
epidemiological studies are necessary to assess the relation and distribution pattern
of diseases related to dioxin and furan contamination.
With all the scientific advancements and technologies, it becomes easier to study
the impact and its effects on humans and the environment. The most important effect
is the poisoning of the food chain from the contaminated sites of the food supply.
Similarly, animals and other organisms face the threat due to such harmful
14 Biological Implications of Dioxins/Furans Bioaccumulation in Ecosystems
415