11/19/2025
1. Industrial Pollution
• Waste incinerators
• Chemical manufacturing
• Paper mills (chlorine bleaching)
• Metal smelting
2. Food Sources (Most Common)
Dioxins accumulate in animal fat, so exposure often comes from:
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter)
• Meat (beef, pork, poultry)
• Fish and shellfish
• Eggs
3. Household Exposure
• Burning trash
• Wood treated with chemicals
• Older home insulation or siding (historic sources)
• Certain pesticides (older or imported)
4. Environmental Events
• Wildfires (especially when plastics or treated materials burn)
• Industrial accidents or chemical spills
5. Prenatal + Breastfeeding Transfer
Dioxins stored in a mother’s body fat can cross the placenta or be passed through breastmilk.
6. Personal Care + Plastics (Indirect)
Not usually a primary source but can contribute:
• Chlorine-bleached sanitary products
• Heating food in certain plastics
• PVC production or breakdown
Highest-Risk Scenarios for Children
Children may be exposed when:
• Living near industrial sites
• Consuming high-fat animal products
• Breathing smoke from burned plastics
• Playing in contaminated soil
• Ingesting dust from older homes or areas near incinerators