Introduction and objective:
Dioxins are chemical compounds classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Their primary source of emission is the incineration of industrial and municipal waste. Exposure of living organisms, including humans, to these substances occurs predominantly through dietary intake. The objective of this study is to analyze the changes in dioxins emissions and environmental exposure levels over time, in the context of the implementation of international legal instruments regulating the issue of POPs.

Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Global awareness of the hazards associated with the presence of dioxins in the environment began to rise in the 1970s. In response to growing concerns about the toxicity of dioxins, a number of international legal regulations were introduced with the primary aim of limiting their formation and release into the environment, improving disposal processes, and monitoring contamination in the food chain, ultimately aiming to reduce human exposure to these chemical compounds. Since the 1990s, a consistent decline in dioxins emissions from anthropogenic sources has been observed. Studies conducted during this period on dioxins concentrations in human tissues confirm a clear downward trend in exposure levels.

Summary:
The analysis of long-term trends in dioxins emissions and human population exposure demonstrates a significant correlation with the implementation of legal regulations related to POPs. These findings underscore the importance of legislative measures in effectively mitigating health and environmental risks associated with the presence of dioxins. However, there remains a need for effective policies to further reduce exposure to these pollutants, particularly in communities residing in highly industrialized or high-risk contamination areas