Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) are a group of halogenated organic compounds which are significant because they act as environmental pollutants. The term "polychlorinated dibenzodioxins" can be abbreviated as PCDDs, but they are commonly referred to as dioxins for simplicity in current technical literature because a dioxin skeletal structure is at the center of the chemical structure of a PCDD molecule. Typically, the p-dioxin skeleton is at the core of a PCDD molecule, giving the molecule a dibenzo-p-dioxin ring system. Members of the PCDD family have been shown to bioaccumulate in humans and wildlife due to their lipophilic properties, and are known teratogens, mutagens, and suspected human carcinogens.
Additionally sometimes with the word "dioxins", a similar but unrelated compound type, the polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) of like environmental importance, are also implied.
