dioxin
noun
di·ox·in
(ˌ)dī-ˈäk-sən 
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (such as pesticide manufacture and papermaking) and waste incineration
especially
: tcdd
Examples of dioxin in a Sentence
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The mixture contained dioxin, a deadly substance that not only causes a range of cancers and other illnesses, but is also linked to birth defects for babies exposed in utero.
—
Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 Mar. 2025
Over the decades, dust has blown the contaminated soil off the bases and abundant rains have pushed the dioxin into waterways and the densely packed surrounding neighborhoods, contaminating fish as well as ducks and chicken that people raise for food.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 Mar. 2025
Depending on what's burning – grasslands, trees, vegetation, buildings – wildfire smoke can contain chemical substances such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acid gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, benzene, toluene, styrene, metals and dioxins, the New York State Department of Health says.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Some VOCs, such as dioxins, benzene, formaldehyde and PAHs, can be toxic to humans.
—Colleen E. Reid, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dioxin
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Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 Mar. 2025
Over the decades, dust has blown the contaminated soil off the bases and abundant rains have pushed the dioxin into waterways and the densely packed surrounding neighborhoods, contaminating fish as well as ducks and chicken that people raise for food.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 Mar. 2025
Depending on what's burning – grasslands, trees, vegetation, buildings – wildfire smoke can contain chemical substances such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acid gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, benzene, toluene, styrene, metals and dioxins, the New York State Department of Health says.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Some VOCs, such as dioxins, benzene, formaldehyde and PAHs, can be toxic to humans.
—Colleen E. Reid, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dioxin
Cite this Entry
“Dioxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dioxin. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
dioxin
noun
di·ox·in
(ˈ)dī-ˈäk-sən
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (as pesticide manufacture and paper milling) and waste incineration
especially
: tcdd see agent orange
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