CHLORINATED DIBENZOFURANS
Agent Name
CHLORINATED DIBENZOFURANS
Alternative Name
CLASS
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
CLASSES; Chlorodibenzofurans; CDFs; Chlorodibenzofuran; [ChemFinder]
Category
Halogenated Polyaromatics
Description
Colorless solids not soluble in water; [ATSDR ToxFAQs]
Sources/Uses
May contaminate polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds; CDFs have been found in fly ash from municipal incinerators; [LaDou, p. 517-8]
Comments
Polychlorodibenzofurans can induce chloracne. [Rosenstock, p. 714] "Chlorinated dibenzofurans, or CDFs, are a family of chemicals that contain one to eight chlorine atoms attached to the carbon atoms of the parent chemical, dibenzofuran. There are 135 different types of CDFs with varying harmful health and environmental effects." Chloracne and liver toxicity are associated with exposure to these agents, e.g., the Yusho incident in Japan in 1968 involving people who consumed rice oil contaminated with PCBs and CDFs. Reproductive effects in Yusho patients included irregular menstrual periods in exposed mothers, decreased mean birth weights, and lower developmental scores in children; [ATSDR TOXFAQs]
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Bioaccumulates
Yes
Adverse Effects
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Chloracne
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: