Study Shows Dioxin Exposure Related To Adverse Childhood Behavior And Learning Capabilities

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Scientific findings released today in a report by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) revealed that nearly all Americans are exposed to unhealthy levels of dioxin through normal daily consumption of food. According to the report, America's Choice: Children's Health or Corporate Profit, children exposed to dioxins in utero during critical periods of development appear to be the most sensitive and vulnerable to the toxic effects.

Dioxin exposure has been associated with IQ defects, increased prevalence of withdrawn/depressed behavior, adverse effects on attentional processes, an increase in hyperactive behavior in children, disrupted sexual development, birth defects and damage to the immune system.

"Dioxin is a terribly lethal substance that can be eliminated from our environment by making simple changes in manufacturing and waste disposal processes," said CHEJ's Executive Director Lois Gibbs. Gibbs uncovered the toxic poisoning, including dioxin, of families at Love Canal twenty years ago, and has since become a leader in safeguarding the health of America's families.

"President Clinton recently called dioxin one of the most dangerous chemicals known when he announced that industry will now be required to report their releases of dioxin," Gibbs continued, "It's time for government to go beyond talking towards elimination."

Dangerous levels of dioxin are found in such common "healthy" foods as milk, cheese and beef, giving almost all of us a higher concentration of dioxin in our bodies than would be considered safe. The report, compiled by CHEJ, reflects a decade's worth of research by a team of leading scientists and respected community leaders. The report was peer reviewed by some of the nation's most respected scientists and health policy experts.

In addition to the medical findings, the report provides recommendations for ridding our environment of dioxins. Affordable, safe alternatives now in use can, if adopted more widely, replace the chlorine in paper mills and the incineration of medical waste that currently spew toxic levels of dioxin into our food supply.

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) was founded as the Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste by Lois Gibbs, the community leader at Love Canal. Through scientific, organizing, information and referral services, CHEJ empowers citizens and communities to prevent or eliminate their exposure to hazardous chemicals.

CONTACT: Paul Cates of Pro-Media Public Relations, 212-245-0510, for Center for Health, Environment and Justice

Nov. 4, 1999