Does dioxin exert toxic effects in humans at or near current background body levels?: An evidence-based conclusion.
Evidence-based toxicology like evidence-based medicine, provides scientifically grounded evidence-based conclusions as distinguished from authority-based opinions. As an example, we address a proposition from the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Draft Dioxin [2,3, 7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin (TCDD)] reassessment that: 'dioxin...can produce effects...at or near current background body burdens or intake levels'. Guided by a systematic, objective, and unbiased analysis of the available molecular, physiological, and clinical/epidemiologic data, in accordance with accepted principles of scientific logic, we reach the evidence-based conclusion that the proposition is rejected. When gaps in scientific knowledge necessitate formulation of opinions to meet preventive or precautionary goals, the reversion to authority should be explicitly acknowledged.
University of Colorado Health Science Center, Box B-146, 4200 East 9th Avenue, BRB 723, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
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Guzelian
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Quattrochi
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Karch
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Aylward
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Kaley
D001822:Body Burden; D004147:Dioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans
D004147:Dioxins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants