The intake of dioxins in the diet of people in Europe often exceeds the
tolerable daily intake (TDI) set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Intake by breast-fed infants is very high compared with the TDI. WHO
experts acknowledge that subtle effects on health may already be
occurring in the general population (7). At, or near, the concentrations
found in the populations of industrialised countries, dioxins can affect the
levels of certain hormones, enzymes and immune system cells.