Doctors seek survey of chemical ill effects

THE Irish Doctors' Environmental Association is disappointed to note that the Department of Health has no plans to undertake an assessment of the burden of environmental chemicals on the human body, such as carried out by the US Centre for Disease Control.

The evidence that chemicals in common use are causing adverse health effects is growing daily.

A recent report in the medical journal Public Health links the rise in Alzheimers, Parkinson's and other serious conditions with pesticides and other chemicals. Most household chemicals in daily use are untested, and drinking water purification systems concentrate on bacteriological tests.

We call on the Minister for Health to address this growing problem and to assess the levels of chemical compounds that Irish people carry in their bodies.

Dr Elizabeth Cullen

Irish Doctors' Environmental Association

Thomastown

Kilcullen

Co Kildare