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• Production and use
• Toxicity
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The term dioxin refers to a large group of organic compounds that are structurally related to benzene (a colorless, flammable, and toxic [poisonous] liquid hydrocarbon, meaning it contains both carbon and hydrogen atoms) and may contain one or more chlorine atoms in their structures. Those compounds that do contain chlorine are known as chlorinated dioxins and are of the greatest environmental interest today.

Production and use

Dioxins have no particular uses. They are not manufactured intentionally but are often formed as by-products of other chemical procedures. Two such processes involve the manufacture of 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and hexachlorophene. 2,4,5-T was once a popular herbicide (weed-killing agent), while...