dioxin
/dʌɪˈɒksɪn
/noun [mass noun]
1A highly toxic compound produced as a by-product in some manufacturing processes, notably herbicide production and paper bleaching. It is a serious and persistent environmental pollutant.
- A heterocyclic organochlorine compound; alternative name: 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzoparadioxin (abbreviation TCDD); chemical formula: C12H4O2Cl4.
- He discussed how the manufacture of PVC creates the unwanted byproduct of dioxin, a potent carcinogen.
- That view is shared by the usually mild US Environmental Protection Agency following their extensive three-year study that proved dioxin to be more toxic than had originally been believed.
1.1 [count noun] Any of the class of compounds to which dioxin belongs.He said that when you burn any organic matter, which contains chlorine and organic carbon, you get dioxins....
- They have excavated more than 100,000 cubic metres of fill contaminated with heavy metals, hydrocarbons and dioxins.
- Other residents will just burn the rubbish in their garden spreading dioxins and other noxious chemicals throughout the countryside.
Origin
Early 20th century: from di-1 'two' + ox- 'oxygen' + -in1.