Birth Defects in the Seveso Area After TCDD Contamination

Abstract

On July 10, 1976, an uncontrollable exothermic process occurred during the production of trichlorophenol in a plant at Meda, 20 km north of Milan, Italy. A cloud of toxic material was released that contaminated approximately 1,800 densely populated hectares, including parts of the towns of Seveso, Meda, Cesano Maderno, and Desio. Not until nine days later was it revealed that the most toxic product released was 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and that this substance had been found in various samples collected near the plant.