Longer-term exposure to these substances has been shown to cause a range of adverse effects on the nervous, immune and endocrine systems, and impair reproductive function. PCBs had widespread use in numerous industrial applications, and were produced in large quantities for several decades with an estimated total world production of 1.2-1.5 million tonnes, until they were banned in most countries by the 1980s.ĭioxins and PCBs are found at low levels in many foods. Dioxins have no technological or other use, but are generated in a number of thermal and industrial processes as unwanted and often unavoidable by-products. In the context of EFSA’s work, ‘dioxins’ refers to two groups of compounds: Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Their presence in the environment in Europe has declined since the 1970s, following concerted efforts by public authorities and industry. Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain.
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