Dioxin detected in domestic eggs has raised public concern, and the source of the contamination has become the focus of attention. Li Chun-chang, director of the Environmental Trace Toxic Substances Research Center at Cheng Kung University, who was responsible for testing the dioxin-tainted eggs, pointed out that the tested samples contained "tetrachlorofuran," and preliminary assessment suggests the contamination source may be "ash," that is, a mixture of fly ash and bottom ash from waste incineration.

The Environmental Protection Administration assessed that the contamination source may come from feed, air or water, and no matter which one it is, the scope of impact is considerable.

Hsu Chen-chung, professor emeritus at Chung Hsing University and consultant to the Taiwan Feed Industry Association as well as convener of its feed research group, pointed out that if the dioxin came from feed, the problem should lie in the raw materials. If feed operators bought impure industrial-grade raw materials mixed with ash containing dioxin, it could cause egg contamination.

If it is air or water, then the problem lies in environmental pollution around the chicken farms. Wanggong Village, where these three chicken farms are located, is only about five kilometers in a straight line from Fangyuan Industrial Zone, also in Fangyuan Township. Some local operators believe groundwater pollution is the most likely possibility. Local environmental groups believe air pollution drift is highly suspect, and sources could range from the Sixth Naphtha Cracker Complex to nearby illegal burning.

Dioxin Detected in Eggs, Tetrachlorofuran Concentration 10 Times Higher Than in the Past; Contamination Source Suspected to Be Waste-Incineration "Ash"