Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seveso — An Environmental Assessment

  • Chapter
Human and Environmental Risks of Chlorinated Dioxins and Related Compounds

Part of the book series: Environmental Science Research ((ESRH,volume 26))

Abstract

An unforeseeable accident on July 10, 1976, in Seveso, Italy, led to an environmental contamination with caustic reaction products and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Original contamination of vegetation was in the order of O.5 ppm TCDD.

The main effects caused by the contamination were the death of herbivores, due to oral uptake of contaminated vegetation and chloracne in humans, due to dermal contact. The cases considered severe in 1976 recovered within 5 years.

In Zone A (87.3 ha), 736 inhabitants were evacuated, two- thirds of which returned to their homes after decontamination in 1977. Agricultural and horticultural activities were suspended in Zones B (269.4 ha) and safety Zone R (1,430 ha).

By the end of 1976, the contamination had been transferred to the soil, where TCDD was strongly adsorbed, which reduced bioavailability. Plant uptake has not been a significant factor in the movement of TCDD. Moreover, spreading of the contamination by leaching and wind (dust) has been minimal.

Decontamination consists of agronomic measures in areas with low contamination and removal of topsoil where concentrations are high. In 1980–1981 levels of TCDD were practically non-detectable in soil from Zone R or in vegetation from Zones B and R (less than 1 part-per-trillion).

The Seveso accident was neither the most severe TCDD accident nor has it produced the highest environmental contaminations. Zone R is contaminated with other PCDD’s, which are unrelated to the accident, at levels much higher than those of 2,3,7,8-TCDD. Even so, the outlook is very optimistic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Salomon, Ch.M. “Bericht uber den Storfall in Seveso”, Sonderkilloquium (Dechema-Haus, Frankfurt am Mai, Nov. 4, 1980 ) and Meeting of the Industrial Health and Safety Group of Soc. Chem. Ind. London, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Theofanous, . Nature, 291: 640–642, 1981.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Homberger, E., Reggiani, G., Sambeth, J., and Wipf, H.-K. Ann. Occup. Hyg., 22:327–370, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Wipf, H.-K., Homberger, E., Neuner, N., Ranalder, U.B., Vetter, W., and Vuilleumier, J.P. “TCDD-Analysis in Vegetation Samples from the Seveso Area”, CIPAC Proceedings Symposium Series 1 ( W.R. Bontoyan, Ed. ), CIPAC Publications, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Fara, G.M. Int. J. of Epidemiology, 10: 135–142, 1981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Pocchiari, F. Int. Conf. on Health Effects of Halogenated Aromatic Hydrocarbons, June 24–27, 1978. New York Academy of Sciences, New York, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Goldman, P.J. Arbeitsmed. Sozialmed. Arbeitshyg., 7:12–18, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Pazderova-Vejlupkova, J., Nemcova, M., Pickova, J., Jirasek, L., and Lukas, E. Arch. Environ. Health, 36: 5–11, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Young, A.L., Calcagni, J.A., Thalken, C.E., and Tremblay, J.W. “The Toxicology, Environmental Fate, and Human Risk of Herbicide Orange and its Associated Dioxin”, Technical Report 0EHL-TR-78–92. Occupational and Environmental Health Laboratory, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78235. 247 p.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Bartleson, F.D. Jr., Harrison, D.D., and Morgan, J.D. “Field Studies of Wildlife Exposed to TCDD Contaminated Soils”, Technical Report AFATL-TR-75-49, Air Force Armament Laboratory, Eglin AF Base, Florida 32542. 53 p.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kimbrough, R.D., Carter, D.C., Liddle, J.A., Cline, R.E., and Phillips, P.E. Arch. Enviroir. Health, 32:77–85, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Angeli, F. (Editor) “Disastro Icmesa”, Franco Angeli Editore, Milano, Italy, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bumb, R.R., Crummett, W.B., Cutie, S.S., Gledhill, J.R., Hummel, R.H., Kagel, R.O., Lamparsky, L.L., Lumoma, E.V., Miller, D.L., Nestrick, T.J., Shadoff, L.A., Stehl, R.H., and Woods, J.S. Science, 210: 385–390, 1980.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. Olie, K., Lustenhouwer, J.W.A., “Polychlorinated dibenzo-p- dioxins and Related Compunds in Incinerator Effluents. In: O. Hutzinger, R.W. Frei, E. Merian, and F. Pocchiari (eds.) Chlorinated Dioxins and Related Compounds - Impact on the Environment. Pergamon Series on Environmental Science. Pergamon Press, Oxford. Volume 5: 227–244. 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Leng, M.L. “Comparative Toxicology of Various Chlorinated Dioxins as Related to Chemical Structure”, CIPAC Proceedings Symposium Series 1 ( W.R. Bontoyan, Ed. ), CIPAC Publications 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kearney, P.C. Symposium on Human Health Aspects of Accidental Chemical Exposure to Dioxins, Oct. 4–7, 1981, Bethesda, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kearney, P.C., Isensee, A.R., Helling, C.S., Woolson, E.A., and Plimmer, J.R. Adv. Chem. Ser., 120:105–111, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Kearney, P.C., Woolson, E.A., Isensee, A.R., and Helling, C.S., Environ. Health Perspect., 5:273–277, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Crosby, D.G., Moilanen, K.W., and Wong, A.S. Environ. Health Perspect., 5:259–266, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Helling, C.S., Isensee, A.R., Woolson, E.A., Ensor, P.D.J., Jones, G.E., Plimmer, J.R., and Kearney, P.C., J. Environ. Quality, 2: 171–178, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Plimmer, J.R., Klingebiel, U.I., Crosby, D.G., and Wong, A.S. Adv. Chem. Ser., 120:44–54, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Young, A.L., Thalken, C.E., Arnold, E.L., Cupello, J.M., and Cockerham, L.G. “Fate of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in the Environment: Summary and Decontamination Recommendations”, Technical Report USAFA-TR-76-18, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado 80840. 41 p.

    Google Scholar 

  23. di Domenico, A., Silano, V., Viviano, G., and Zapponi, G. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety, 4:339–345, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wipf, H.K., Homberger, E., Neuner, N., and Schenker, F. “Field Trials on Photodegradation of TCDD on Vegetation After Spraying with Vegetable Oil” in “Dioxin: Toxicological and Chemical Aspects” (F. Cattabeni, Ed.), Spectrum Publications Inc., New York, London, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Wipf, H.K., Homberger, E., Neuner, N., Ranalder, U.B., Vetter, W., and Vuilleumier, P.P. TCDD-Levels in Soil and Plant Samples from the Seveso Area. In: O. Hutzinger, R.W. Frei, E. Merian, and F. Pocchiari (eds.) Chlorinated Dioxins and Related Compounds - Impact on the Environment. Pergamon Series on Environmental Science. Pergamon Press, Oxford. Volume 5: 105–114. 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  26. di Domenico, A., Silano, V., Viviano, G., and Zapponi, G. Ecotoxicol. Environ Safety, 4:346–356, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  27. di Domenico, A., Silano, V., Viviano, G., and Zapponi, G. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety, 4:321–326, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Colby, A. Symposium on Human Health Aspects of Accidental Chemical Exposure to Dioxins, October 4–7, 1981, Bethesda Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Commoner, B., and Scott, R.E. “US Air Force Studies on the Stability and Ecological Effects of TCDD (Dioxin): an Evaluation Relative to the Accidental Dissemination of TCDD at Seveso, Italy”, November 13, 1976. Dioxin Information Project, Scientists’ Institute for Public Information, New York, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  30. di Domenico, A., Silano, V., Viviano, G., and Zapponi, G. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety, 4:327–338, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Poiger, H., and Schlatter, C., Ed. Cosmet. Toxicol., 18: 477–481, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Young, A.L. Long-Term Studies on the Persistence and Movement of TCDD in a Natural Ecosystem. These Proceedings, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Philippi, M., Schmid, J., Wipf, H.K., and Hutter, R. Submitted to Experientia for publication, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Hutter, R., and Philippi, M. Studies on Microbial Metabolism of TCDD under Laboratory Conditions. In: O. Hutzinger, R.W. Frei, E. Merian, and F. Pocchiari (eds.) Chlorinated Dioxins and Related Compounds - Impact on the Environment. Pergamon Series on Environmental Science. Pergamon Press, Oxford. Volume 5: 87–94.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Isenesee, A.R., and Jones, G.E. J. Agr. Food Chem., 19: 1210–1214, 1971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Cocucci, S., di Gerolamo, F., Verderio, A., Cavallaro, A., Colli, G., Gorni, A., Invernizzi, G., and Luciani, L. Experientia, 35: 482–484, 1979.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Kociba, R.J., Keyes, D.G., Beyer, J.E., Carreon, R.M., Wade, C.E., Dittenber, D.A., Kalnins, R.P., Frauson, L.E., Park, C.N., Barnard, S.D., Hummel, R.A., and Humiston, C.G. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol., 46:279–303, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Donatelli, L., Lampa, E., and Creso, E. “Considerations on the Epidemiology of the Seveso Accident”, Toxicol. Europ. Res. III (1), 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Zack, J.A., and Suskind, R.R. J. Occup. Med., 22:11–14, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Cook, R., Townsend, J.C., Ott, M.G., and Silverstein, L.G. “Mortality Experience of Employees Exposed to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)”, J. Occup. Med., 22: 530–532, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Givaudan Research Company Ltd, Dubendorf, Switzerland

    H. K. Wipf & J. Schmid

Authors
  1. H. K. Wipf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Schmid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dynamac Corp Enviro Control Division, Rockville, Maryland, USA

    Richard E. Tucker  & Allan P. Gray  & 

  2. U.S. Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C., USA

    Alvin L. Young

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wipf, H.K., Schmid, J. (1983). Seveso — An Environmental Assessment. In: Tucker, R.E., Young, A.L., Gray, A.P. (eds) Human and Environmental Risks of Chlorinated Dioxins and Related Compounds. Environmental Science Research, vol 26. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3599-3_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3599-3_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-3601-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-3599-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation