1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran

Description

## 1,2,3,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF)

1,2,3,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF) is a **highly toxic and persistent environmental contaminant**. It belongs to the **dioxin family**, which consists of chlorinated dibenzofurans and dibenzo-p-dioxins.

**Why is PeCDF important for research?**

* **Toxicity:** PeCDF is one of the most toxic dioxins, exhibiting **carcinogenic, teratogenic, and endocrine disrupting effects**. It can cause various health problems, including cancer, developmental defects, immune suppression, and reproductive issues.
* **Environmental persistence:** PeCDF is highly persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate in the food chain, posing a significant threat to wildlife and human health.
* **Understanding environmental fate:** Research on PeCDF helps scientists understand the **environmental fate and transport of these pollutants**, including their sources, degradation pathways, and potential for long-term persistence.
* **Developing remediation strategies:** Studying PeCDF is crucial for developing effective strategies to **remediate contaminated sites** and reduce the risk of exposure.
* **Exposure assessment:** Research on PeCDF contributes to developing methods for **assessing human and animal exposure** to this toxic compound.
* **Mechanism of toxicity:** Studying PeCDF helps researchers understand the **molecular mechanisms of dioxin toxicity**, including their interactions with cellular receptors and their impact on gene expression.

**Research on PeCDF is crucial for:**

* **Protecting human health:** Understanding the toxicity and environmental fate of PeCDF is vital for protecting public health from the risks associated with exposure to this contaminant.
* **Safeguarding the environment:** Research on PeCDF is essential for developing strategies to minimize its release into the environment and for mitigating its harmful effects on ecosystems.
* **Developing effective remediation technologies:** Understanding the properties of PeCDF is crucial for developing innovative technologies to clean up contaminated sites and prevent future contamination.

Overall, research on 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF) is vital for addressing the significant environmental and health risks posed by this highly toxic pollutant.

1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran: structure given in first source; RN given refers to parent cpd [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]