2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) and related environmental antiestrogens: Characterization and mechanism of action

Organochlorine industrial chemicals have been extensively used in the production of plastics, flame retardants, dielectric fluids, pesticides, drugs, and a host of other commercial products. Some of these chemicals such as the organochlorine insecticides, which include DDT, are both highly stable and lipophilic, and trace residues have been detected as pollutants in air, water, sediments, fish, wildlife, human adipose tissue, blood, and milk. Other halogenated aromatic compounds such as the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) exhibit comparable widespread environmental distribution profiles. After initial identification of DDT, its metabolite DDE, and PCBs as environmental pollutants, regulatory agencies have either banned or restricted use of most persistent organochlorine compounds, and residue levels for most of these chemicals have dramatically declined over the past 20 to 30 years.