Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics and Related Information

EPA Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) Chemical Program
Includes technical information, resource links, and strategies and action plans for mitigation.

Mercury
Information about mercury and how to eliminate mercury use.

Dioxin and Related Compounds
Information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on dioxin, including a draft dioxin reassessment document. "Skin rashes, liver damage, weight loss, and a reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system have all been attributed to human exposure to dioxins," according to the U.S. EPA. Read the EPA position statement on dioxin and combustion. (PDF)

Dioxin
Information from Health Care Without Harm on dioxin, "a highly toxic and persistent family of chemicals that is an unintentional byproduct of medical waste incineration and PVC plastic production."

Why Health Care is Moving Away From PVC (PDF)

Prevention of Dioxin Generation from PVC Plastic Use By Health Care Facilities
In a 1996 policy statement, the American Public Health Association urged all health care facilities to explore ways to reduce or eliminate their use of PVC plastics, and called upon health care professionals to "encourage health care institutions with which they are associated to adopt policies that will lead toward the reduction and elimination of the use of PVC plastic products."

Dioxins and Their Effects on Human Health
Information about dioxins, their sources, and their effects on human health from the World Health Organization.

List of Dioxin and Related Resolutions
Resolutions and shareholder MOUs on dioxin, PVC, DEHP, and medical waste incineration, compiled by Health Care Without Harm.

U.S. EPA Inventory of Sources of Dioxin in the United States
Regulations, incinerator closures and better waste management are reducing dioxin pollution in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

FDA dioxin FAQs: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodContaminantsAdulteration/ChemicalContaminants/DioxinsPCBs/ucm077524.htm#top

USDA / FSIS dioxin resources: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Dioxin_Resources/index.asp

Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobenzene is a probable human carcinogen; small quantities can be produced during combustion of municiapl waste.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
PAHs may reasonably be expected to be carcinogens. PAHs can be formed during the incineration of municipal waste.