CHLORINATED DIOXINS and related compounds are extremely potent toxic s
ubstances, producing effects in humans and animals at extremely low do
ses. Because these compounds are persistent in the environment and acc
umulate in the food chain, they are now distributed globally, and ever
y member of the human population is exposed to them, primarily through
the food supply and mothers' milk An emerging body of information sug
gests that dioxin contamination has reached a level that may pose a la
rge-scale, long-term public health risk Of particular concern are diox
in's effects on reproduction, development, immune system function, and
carcinogenesis. Medical waste incineration is a major source of dioxi
ns. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, as the dominant source of organi
cally bound chlorine in the medical waste stream, is the primary cause
of ''iatrogenic'' dioxin produced by the incineration of medical wast
es. Health professionals have a responsibility to work to reduce dioxi
n exposure from medical sources. Health care institutions should imple
ment policies to reduce the use of PVC plastics, thus achieving major
reductions in medically related dioxin formation.