Chicken eggs contaminated with dioxin in Lower Saxony

Chicken Eggs with Dioxin: Causes Search Continues

06/29/2014

Although several days have passed since eggs were found on a farm in Lower Saxony, the search for the cause continues. Dioxin eggs pose a significant health risk. So far, the state ministry assumes that none of the contaminated eggs have entered the market.

Dioxin-contaminated eggs discovered in Lower Saxony
In Lower Saxony, dioxin-loaded eggs were found a few days ago on a chicken farm in the district of Cloppenburg during a routine inspection. It is still not clear how the poison got into the eggs; it will be determined. New results are expected over the coming week. As the Ministry of Agriculture averaged on Friday in Hanover, it is assumed that so far no eggs contaminated with dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs have entered the market. The following day, a ministry spokesman said: „The search for the cause can take a while.“

Causes are still being searched for
The affected farm with 5,400 laying hens was closed on Thursday so that no eggs, egg products or chickens may be marketed there. The contaminated eggs would be disposed of. The location of the farm was not disclosed. Especially at farms in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia were recently two years ago heaped eggs with pollutant pollution. In addition to the feed, the soil, litter in the stables and the stable insulation had been examined in search of possible causes. According to press reports, in one case the floor covering under the fence of the chicken spout had been identified as the source of the stress.

Controls had been tightened after feed scandal
After the scandal over dioxin in animal feed at the end of December 2010, controls had been tightened. At that time it had become known that a northern German feed company had used dioxins contaminated industrial fats for the production of animal feed. Thousands of laying hen farms, pig and turkey breeders were affected by the poison in the feed. Even if no contaminated products are to be traded in the present case, there is a general health risk from dioxin eggs.

Serious health consequences
Thus, the consequences of dioxin poisoning by contaminated eggs ranging from hormonal imbalances to cancer: Since the total burden in the course of life increases, even low concentrations can be dangerous. Possible consequences of excessive exposure to dioxin are disturbances of the immune system, nerve conduction and the hormone balance as well as immunotoxic effects due to changes in the thyroid gland and skin damage - the so-called chloracne. Damage to the liver is also possible. Dioxins also increase the risk of developing cancer. Dioxin is considered particularly dangerous for children. For them, the consumption of one or two contaminated eggs could bring serious health consequences. (Ad)