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Some 2000 chlorinated and other halogenated chemicals are discharged into our biosphere by plants, marine organisms, insects, bacteria, fungi, and mammals, and by other natural processes.
Enzymatic, thermal, and other natural processes are constantly occurring in the oceans, in the atmosphere, and in the soil that lead to the formation of chlorinated phenols and myriad other chlorinated chemicals, including dioxins and CFCs, that previously were thought to result only from the actions of humans.
It is clear that these natural processes have been producing chlorinated compounds and have been a vital component of our ecosystem for eons. It is now recognized that PCDDs and PCDFs are in-fact natural products and are ubiquitous to our environment.
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