ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS IN HUMAN POPULATION EXPOSED TO 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-PARA-DIOXIN (TCDD) IN SEVESO: AN UPDATE.

On July 10, 1976, an explosion at the Industrie Chimiche Meda Societa Azionaria (Icmesa) plant in the Northern Italian town of Meda released a cloud of aerosol which contaminated the surrounding area. The aerosol contained 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP), sodium hydroxide and the by-product, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD). Starting in 1947, the Icmesa plant produced a variety of chemicals (acetates, benzyl chloride, benzyl cyamide, phthalates, etc. ). In 1970, pilot production of TCP began, and in 1974 full scale operation of TCP was set up. The incineration of production wastes was done by a very rudimentary combustion oven without any environmental control. During the years before the accident, many animal deaths were observed but local authorities were never informed about these. Moreover, local authorities were never informed about the TCP production at the Icmesa plant despite the fact that the TCP operation was considered notifiable by Italian Environmental-Occupational Laws (Acts of Parliamentary Commission, 1978).