Overall Health Effects Associated with Dioxins

Cancer

Soft or connective tissue, lung, liver, stomach, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Male Reproductive Toxicity

Reduced sperm count

Testicular atrophy

Abnormal testis structure

Decreased testis size

Decreased sex drive

Alterations in male hormone levels -- decreased testosterone, androgen; increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH)

Feminization of hormonal and behavioral responses

Female Reproductive Toxicity

Hormonal changes

Decreased fertility

Adverse pregnancy outcomes -- miscarriages; inability to maintain pregnancy

Ovarian dysfunction -- suppression of the estrous cycle, anovulation of the menstrual cycle

Endometriosis

Effects on Unborn Fetus

Birth defects -- cleft palate, hydronephrosis

Alterations in the reproductive system

Decreased sperm count

Altered mating behavior

Structural abnormalities in female genitalia

Reduced fertility

Delayed puberty

Neurological problems

Developmental problems

Skin Disorders
 

Chloracne

Hyperpigmentation

Eye lid cyst

Hypertrichosis

Actinic keratosis

Peyronie's disease

 Hirsutism

Metabolic and Hormonal Changes including
 

Altered glucose tolerance and decreased insulin levels leading to increased risk of diabetes

Altered fat metabolism leading to elevated lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased risk of heart disease

Altered porphyrin metabolism leading to

porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and elevated

urinary porphyrins including uroporphyrin,

urobilinogen, coproporphyrin

Weight loss, wasting syndrome

Changes in thyroid hormones

Damage to Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems leading to
 

Increased irritability and nervousness

Decreased pin prick sensation

Impaired neurological development and

subsequent cognitive deficits

Damage to Liver as measured by
 

Elevated Gamma Glutamyl Transferase levels

Enlarged liver

Elevation of liver enzymes other than GGT (LDH, AST, ALT and D-glucaric acid)

Cirrhosis

Damage to the Immune System leading to
 

Reduced size of thymus

Increased T-4 cells

Increased ratio T-4 to TBG cells

Increased susceptibility to infectious disease

Increased risk of cancer
 

Irritation

Tracheobronchitis

Decreased lung function
 

Loss of appetite

Nausea

Damage to heart leading to circulatory disorders and heart disease

Source: US EPA, 1994a, 1994b; DeVito, 1994; from Dying from Dioxin, A Citizen's Guide to Reclaiming Our Health and Rebuilding Democracy, Lois Gibbs Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Wastes, 1996.