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THE INTERSECTION OF SCIENCE AND POLICY: WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM DIOXIN?
Citation:
Gullett, B., W. Carroll, P. Dyke, AND D. Winters. THE INTERSECTION OF SCIENCE AND POLICY: WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM DIOXIN? 42nd International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants, New Orleans, Louisiana, ALAND ISLANDS, October 09 - 14, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
This abstract introduces a panel session on the science and policy regarding chlorinated dioxins. Three panelists will discuss their perspectives on the history of dioxin science and policy from multiple, international perspectives. The discussion, followed by questions from the audience, is meant to stimulate thought about current efforts on new and emerging environmental concerns. This session should be of interest to a diverse audience of professions, institutions, and interests.
Description:
Perhaps no other pollutant has been as impactful and controversial as “dioxin,” leading to decades of extensive, worldwide research and regulatory policies. The story of how this family of pollutants came to drive such a deluge of scientific research, public interest, industrial controls, policy implementation, and regulatory work is fascinating and, we argue, can provide lessons to scientists and policy makers as we tackle new, emerging and, as yet, unknown pollutants and environmental challenges. In the 1970s chlorinated organic byproducts from industrial reactions and pesticides/herbicides were linked to occurrences of animal disease and human sickness. In 1977, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) were found in fly ash from a waste combustor. With limited sampling methods and analytical tools and with only patchy theories for formation mechanisms, exposure routes, and toxicity, scientists began studies leading to a baffling range of industrial and non-industrial sources. The discovery of additional dioxin sources such as: chlorine bleaching of wood pulp; metals refining of titanium and magnesium; cement kilns; and the discovery of naturally occurring dioxins in ball clay---all significantly expanded the spectrum of concern for managing dioxin risk. Significant efforts were made to identify and quantify dioxin sources worldwide, understand routes of exposure, determine environmental fate and toxicity, and understand the formation mechanisms to inform preventative and control measures. The toxicity of dioxins, the myriad sources, and its environmental persistence, led to worldwide scientific, engineering, regulatory, and political challenges occurring over decades and into the 21st century. The extent of impact is witnessed in no small part by the longevity of this conference, initiated in 1980 in Rome and reconvened annually, as well as the conference attendance which typically exceeds over 500 attendees. In this panel session, we’ll reflect on this history of dioxin source identification, government policy development, and engineering/regulatory measures to learn what lessons may be relevant to current and emerging contaminants of concern. We’ll hear from three people experienced in the policy, assessment, research, and regulatory arenas. Questions and discussions with the audience will follow.
