Toxic chemicals found in everyone’s blood

A COCKTAIL of highly toxic man-made chemicals has been found in every person tested in a Britain-wide blood survey.

WWF-the global environment network said the report, “ContamiNATION, The Results of WWF’s Biomonitoring Survey,” reveals that chemicals such as DDT, which has been banned for decades, were also found in high levels. It has been associated with a range of health problems including cancers and nervous and immune system disorders.

The survey is the first to identify the widespread contamination of people by a chemical used to prevent fire in everyday products, such as cars and television sets.

The flame retardant was found in 7% of those tested, with the highest levels of contamination being comparable with those found in people who are exposed to the chemical at work.

The widely used chemical, known as deca-brominated diphel ether, has not been properly tested for safety. Current risk assessments are linking the chemical to damage of the brain and nervous systems. Justin Woolfod, leader of WWF’s Chemicals and Health Campaign said: “The chemical industry is contaminating the nation and the government is rolling over and allowing it to continue.

“As a major player in Europe, the UK must take proactive action to drive through tough EU legislation which prioritises our health and that of the environment by phasing out the most harmful chemicals in favour of safer alternatives.”

The survey, carried out in association with The Co-operative Bank and National Federation of Women’s Institutes, blood-tested 155 volunteers nationwide for 77 chemicals. Women and men between 22 and 80 years-old from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland formed the study sample. It provides unique data on the concentrations of PCBs, used in industrial electrical equipment, and certain types of pesticides and flame retardants in the Britain’s population.

PCBs and a breakdown product of the pesticide DDT were found in 99% of those tested. However, women were found to have lower levels of certain PCBs than men and the levels appear to reduce in relation to the number of children they carried and breast fed.

The survey does show that effective chemical regulation banning the manufacture and use of hazardous chemicals can eventually begin to reduce human levels of contamination. For example, the survey failed to find two types of pesticide which have been banned for use in Britian.

It also found that contamination from PCBs is gradually decreasing from levels found in Britain 10 years ago.

Volunteers who took part in the study yesterday delivered a copy of the survey to Prime Minister Tony Blair, with an urgent request that the government take action to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals to protect people and wildlife.

An EU proposed chemicals legislation known as REACH is currently being considered by member states.