chloracne

Chloracne is a skin eruption that resembles acne and results from exposure to chlorine or its compounds. It is a localized skin disease that can occur in workers exposed to chlorine compounds, such as those involved in manufacturing cables, insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Severe outbreaks have also been caused by industrial accidents involving the release of tetrachlorodibenzodioxin vapor.12

Dioxins, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD), are environmental pollutants generated as by-products in the manufacture of herbicides and disinfectants. Short-term exposure to high levels of TCDD can cause chloracne. Dioxins are persistent and accumulate in fatty tissues and the food chain, with dietary ingestion being the primary route of human exposure.3