Dioxin Study
* “Industries Fight EPA Study Linking Dioxin to Cancer” (April 12) highlights the Bush administration’s new attitude toward public health.
The report, compiled at the behest of the chemical industry, attempts to quantify dangers associated with dioxin. But when evidence mounted that extremely low doses of dioxin have been known to cause cancer and reproductive and developmental effects in animals, industry became displeased. In fact, one form of dioxin, TCDD, was found to be among the world’s most potent toxins. Sadly, word of the EPA report’s “on-hold” status comes on the heels of administrator Christie Whitman’s withdrawal of a new, more protective drinking water standard on arsenic--another known carcinogen.
Because plastics are now part of everyday life, virtually every American has detectable levels of dioxin in his or her body. The public therefore has a right to learn about dioxin’s effects. The release of this report is a meaningful first step in addressing public concerns. This is the EPA’s third round of dioxin reassessments.
How many times will it take the EPA to conduct these studies? Apparently, as often as the chemical industry desires.
ANNE T. O’MEARA MD
Asst. Professor, USC Keck School
of Medicine, Los Angeles
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