Dioxins are one of the most toxic chemicals known. Dioxin is a general term that describes a group of hundreds of chlorine-containing chemicals that are highly persistent in the environment. The most toxic dioxin is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The major sources of dioxins in the environment are waste-burning incinerators. Dioxins are generated when chlorine-containing materials in the waste stream (such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastics) are burned in medical and municipal incinerators. Dioxin pollution is also linked to paper mills that use chlorine bleaching in their bleaching process, the production of PVC plastics, and the production of certain chlorinated chemicals, like many pesticides. When PVCs are burned, chlorine is released and quickly reacts with available phenol compounds to form dioxin. For a list of companies that produce at least one product made out of or packaged in PVC see this List of Companies with PVC Products.

The public health impact of dioxins may rival the impact that DDT had on public health in the 1960’s. The EPA reported that there is no “safe” level of exposure to dioxin, however levels of it have been found in the general US population. The major sources of human exposure to dioxins are in our diets. Dioxins are fat-soluble, which allows it to bioaccumulate. The average American eating the typical American diet will get 93% of his or her dioxin exposure from beef, dairy, chicken, pork, fish and eggs. The EPA has confirmed that dioxins are a cancer hazard to humans. Men have no chance of getting rid of dioxins other than by letting it break down according to its chemical half-life, but dioxins can leave women via the placenta into a developing fetus, or through breast-feeding. The best way to avoid dioxin exposure is to reduce or eliminate your consumption of meat and dairy products.

Although swimming less won't significantly reduce your exposure to dioxins, it may reduce your exposure to other hazardous chlorinated substances. Perhaps you can find a pool treated with ozone or ultraviolet light.

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