dioxin

di·ox·in  (d-ksn)

n.

Any of several carcinogenic or teratogenic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur as impurities in petroleum-derived herbicides.

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[di- + ox(o)- + -in.]

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dioxin  (d-ksn)

Any of several toxic hydrocarbons that occur as impurities in petroleum-derived herbicides, disinfectants, and other products. Dioxins are composed of two benzene rings connected by two oxygen atoms, and the most familiar kind, called TCDD, has two chlorine atoms attached to each benzene ring. TCDD was once thought to cause cancer and birth defects, but subsequent research showed it to have only mild toxic effects except at very high exposure levels.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

dioxin - any of several toxic or carcinogenic hydrocarbons that occur as impurities in herbicides Agent Orange - a herbicide used in the Vietnam War to defoliate forest areas hydrocarbon - an organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen