[Dioxins--properties, occurrence and analysis problems]

Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) as well as similar compounds are described and characterized as a group of environmental pollutants which have been arousing interest only since a short time. The toxicity of the compounds in this group of xenobiotics is compared with that of other compounds generally regarded as highly toxic. The main sources of origin of PCDDs/PCDFs are found in nearly all fields of the technological actions of man. Problems of detection and identification of these compounds extremely difficult in analysis are discussed. These problems are a challenge to even specialist laboratories.