WWF-UK: Latest research on toxic chemicals
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Chemicals and Health
Latest research
Latest research on toxic chemicals
The science of toxicology is constantly changing as new facts and impacts are discovered in laboratories and in the wider world. The campaign has written short summaries of the latest research and information on man-made hazardous chemicals below.
References are provided if you want to see the original paper. Unfortunately some of the publications are subscription only so you will need to follow them up at your local university library. The campaign will update this section regularly.
Widespread contamination
Contamination of the remotest regions of the planet is ongoing. For example, the chemical TBT (tributyltin) used in antifoulant paints on large ships, has recently been detected for the first time in the sediments of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Butyltin compounds have been detected in the Malaysian marine environment in concentrations that have raised concerns for human health.
Negri, A. P. et al, 2004, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol 48, Issues 11-12, pp1142-1144.
Sudaryanto, A., et al, 2004, Environmental Pollution, Vol 130, Issue 3, pp347-358
Contaminated seafood
Bisphenol-A, a suspected endocrine disruptor, has been detected in seafood products (clams, crabs, squid, prawn, cockles, fish) on sale in supermarkets in Singapore. Discharge of sewage effluent to coastal waters is thought to be the source of this contamination.
Basheer, C., et al, 2004, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol 48, Issues 11-12, pp1161-1167
Brominated flame retardants in Beluga whales
Beluga whales in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Canada, are being increasingly contaminated by brominated flame retardant chemicals (PBDEs). Levels in the whales have increased exponentially from 1988-1999. It can take as little as three years for the PBDE blubber burden of the whales to double.
Lebeuf, M., et al, 2004, Environmental Science & Technology, Vol 38, Issue 11, pp2971-2977
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has been correlated with incidence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the cells of the human lymphatic system. Adipose (fat) tissue levels of several OCPs were associated with elevated NHL risk.
Quintana P.J.E., et al., 2004, Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol 112, Issue 8, pp854-861.
Hormones affected in alligators
Alligators inhabiting the Kissimmee-Everglades drainage, Florida, have been shown to have reduced sex steroid hormone levels (females) and reduced phallus size (males). These adverse effects are thought to be due to high levels of contamination by endocrine disrupting chemicals (organochlorine pesticides, incl. DDT, and PCBs).
Gunderson, M.P., et al., 2004, Chemosphere, Vol 56, Issue 4, pp335-345.
Brain development affected
PentaBDE, a brominated flame retardant, has been shown to affect brain development and spontaneous behaviour in newborn mice.
Viberg, H., et al., 2004, Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, Vol 17, Issue 2, pp61-65
Flame retardants
DeBDethane, a flame retardant developed as an alternative to decaBDE (a chemical found at increasing levels in the environment, wildlife and humans) has itself been found to be contaminating sewage sludge, sediment and air.
Kierkegaard, A. et al., 2004, Environmental Science & Technology, Vol 38, Issue 12, pp3247-3253
Chemicals in Lake Superior
The flame retardant chemical decaBDE, recently deemed to be safe following an EU risk assessment, has been found in Lake Superior, US, at levels an order of magnitude higher than all other PBDEs combined. In some cases decaBDE accounted for up to 94 per cent of the total burden of PBDEs in the sediment.
Song, W., et al., 2004, Environmental Science & Technology, Vol 38, Issue 12, pp3286-3293
Contaminated fish
In a recent study in Finland on levels of dioxins, PCBs and brominated flame retardants (PBDEs) in 228 different food items, fish samples contributed the highest levels of all three classes of contaminants. Fish in the diet is clearly an important route of exposure to these chemicals.
Kiviranta, H., et al., 2004, Environment International, Vol 30, Issue 7, pp923-932.
Contaminated breast milk
A breakdown product of the antibacterial chemical triclosan (used in toothpastes, deodorants, soaps and plastic kitchenware) has been found in human breast milk and freshwater fish. There is inadequate information about the toxicity and long term health effects of this chemical.
ENDS report 349, Feb 2004, pp13-14
Balmer, M et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech, Vol 38, pp390-395.
Flame retardants
The flame retardant decaBDE has been found in the eggs of British birds, including peregrine falcons1. It has also recently been found in human blood at the highest level ever-detected in Europe2. This chemical has been shown to cause changes in behaviour and brain function in mice3 and is currently under review in the EU due to concerns about its toxicity and persistent nature.
ENDS report 349, Feb 2004, pp14-15.
1 Lindberg P et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech, Vol 38, pp93-96.
2 www.panda.org/downloads/europe/checkupmain.pdf
3 Viberg, H et al. (2003), Toxicological Sciences, Vol 76, pp112-120.
Non-stick pans
Levels of 'non-stick' type perfluorinated chemicals in indoor air have been shown to be up to 100 times greater than outdoor levels1. Such chemicals are thought to arise from carpets and paper coated with stain/water repellent treatments. Perfluorinated chemicals have also been detected in polar bears2 and human blood3.
ENDS report 350, March 2004, p14.
1 Shoeib, M et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp1313-1320.
2 Stock, NL et al. 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp1693-1699.
3 www.panda.org/downloads/europe/checkupmain.pdf
Growth inhibition
A recent study has shown that bisphenol A, an established endocrine disruptor found in plastic baby's bottles, has the potential to cause structural abnormalities in human cells and also inhibit their growth.
Lehmann, L. & Metzler, M., 2004, Chemico-Biological Interactions, Vol 147, pp273-285.
Baby bottles
A recent study has shown that bisphenol A, an established endocrine disruptor found in plastic baby's bottles, has the potential to cause structural abnormalities in human cells and also inhibit their growth.
Lehmann, L. & Metzler, M., 2004, Chemico-Biological Interactions, Vol 147, pp273-285.
Contaminated fish
PBDE flame-retardants have been found building up in fish from seemingly pristine high mountain lakes across Europe, including Lochnagar in Scotland
1. PBDEs are also accumulating in tuna in the world's oceans2.
1 Vives, I, et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp2338-2344.
2 Ueno, D et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp2312-2316.
Polystyrene foam
The flame retardant HBCD, used in polystyrene foam, has shown to be building up to very high levels in trout and eel in UK rivers1. HBCD has been identified as being persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic by the UK Chemical Stakeholders Forum.
ENDS report 340, May 2003, p13.
1 Brominated flame retardants in fish from the Skerne-Tees river system, available at www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/tox14.pdf
Lung inflammation and asthma
Chemicals called phthalates, used to make plastics flexible, can be released from PVC flooring into indoor air and dust. It is thought that inhalation of phthalates may increase the risk of lung inflammation, trigger asthma and enhance the health damaging potential of common allergens.
Clausen, P. A, et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp2531-2537.
Office furniture
A UK study has shown that office workers can inhale PBDE flame retardants originating from electrical equipment and polyurethane foam in office furniture. Levels of these chemicals in the air increased in relation to the number of computers and office chairs.
Harrad, S, et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp2345-2350.
North Sea grey seals
Concentrations of brominated flame retardants in the blood and blubber of grey seal pups from the North Sea have been shown to correlate with increased levels of thyroid hormones, suggesting these chemicals are interfering with this hormone's regulation. Thyroid hormones play an important role for metabolism and growth in mammals.
Hall, A, et al., 2003, Environmental Pollution, Vol 126, pp29-37.
References are provided if you want to see the original paper. Unfortunately some of the publications are subscription only so you will need to follow them up at your local university library. The campaign will update this section regularly.
Widespread contamination
Contamination of the remotest regions of the planet is ongoing. For example, the chemical TBT (tributyltin) used in antifoulant paints on large ships, has recently been detected for the first time in the sediments of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Butyltin compounds have been detected in the Malaysian marine environment in concentrations that have raised concerns for human health.
Negri, A. P. et al, 2004, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol 48, Issues 11-12, pp1142-1144.
Sudaryanto, A., et al, 2004, Environmental Pollution, Vol 130, Issue 3, pp347-358
Contaminated seafood
Bisphenol-A, a suspected endocrine disruptor, has been detected in seafood products (clams, crabs, squid, prawn, cockles, fish) on sale in supermarkets in Singapore. Discharge of sewage effluent to coastal waters is thought to be the source of this contamination.
Basheer, C., et al, 2004, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol 48, Issues 11-12, pp1161-1167
Brominated flame retardants in Beluga whales
Beluga whales in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Canada, are being increasingly contaminated by brominated flame retardant chemicals (PBDEs). Levels in the whales have increased exponentially from 1988-1999. It can take as little as three years for the PBDE blubber burden of the whales to double.
Lebeuf, M., et al, 2004, Environmental Science & Technology, Vol 38, Issue 11, pp2971-2977
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has been correlated with incidence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the cells of the human lymphatic system. Adipose (fat) tissue levels of several OCPs were associated with elevated NHL risk.
Quintana P.J.E., et al., 2004, Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol 112, Issue 8, pp854-861.
Hormones affected in alligators
Alligators inhabiting the Kissimmee-Everglades drainage, Florida, have been shown to have reduced sex steroid hormone levels (females) and reduced phallus size (males). These adverse effects are thought to be due to high levels of contamination by endocrine disrupting chemicals (organochlorine pesticides, incl. DDT, and PCBs).
Gunderson, M.P., et al., 2004, Chemosphere, Vol 56, Issue 4, pp335-345.
Brain development affected
PentaBDE, a brominated flame retardant, has been shown to affect brain development and spontaneous behaviour in newborn mice.
Viberg, H., et al., 2004, Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, Vol 17, Issue 2, pp61-65
Flame retardants
DeBDethane, a flame retardant developed as an alternative to decaBDE (a chemical found at increasing levels in the environment, wildlife and humans) has itself been found to be contaminating sewage sludge, sediment and air.
Kierkegaard, A. et al., 2004, Environmental Science & Technology, Vol 38, Issue 12, pp3247-3253
Chemicals in Lake Superior
The flame retardant chemical decaBDE, recently deemed to be safe following an EU risk assessment, has been found in Lake Superior, US, at levels an order of magnitude higher than all other PBDEs combined. In some cases decaBDE accounted for up to 94 per cent of the total burden of PBDEs in the sediment.
Song, W., et al., 2004, Environmental Science & Technology, Vol 38, Issue 12, pp3286-3293
Contaminated fish
In a recent study in Finland on levels of dioxins, PCBs and brominated flame retardants (PBDEs) in 228 different food items, fish samples contributed the highest levels of all three classes of contaminants. Fish in the diet is clearly an important route of exposure to these chemicals.
Kiviranta, H., et al., 2004, Environment International, Vol 30, Issue 7, pp923-932.
Contaminated breast milk
A breakdown product of the antibacterial chemical triclosan (used in toothpastes, deodorants, soaps and plastic kitchenware) has been found in human breast milk and freshwater fish. There is inadequate information about the toxicity and long term health effects of this chemical.
ENDS report 349, Feb 2004, pp13-14
Balmer, M et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech, Vol 38, pp390-395.
Flame retardants
The flame retardant decaBDE has been found in the eggs of British birds, including peregrine falcons1. It has also recently been found in human blood at the highest level ever-detected in Europe2. This chemical has been shown to cause changes in behaviour and brain function in mice3 and is currently under review in the EU due to concerns about its toxicity and persistent nature.
ENDS report 349, Feb 2004, pp14-15.
1 Lindberg P et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech, Vol 38, pp93-96.
2 www.panda.org/downloads/europe/checkupmain.pdf
3 Viberg, H et al. (2003), Toxicological Sciences, Vol 76, pp112-120.
Non-stick pans
Levels of 'non-stick' type perfluorinated chemicals in indoor air have been shown to be up to 100 times greater than outdoor levels1. Such chemicals are thought to arise from carpets and paper coated with stain/water repellent treatments. Perfluorinated chemicals have also been detected in polar bears2 and human blood3.
ENDS report 350, March 2004, p14.
1 Shoeib, M et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp1313-1320.
2 Stock, NL et al. 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp1693-1699.
3 www.panda.org/downloads/europe/checkupmain.pdf
Growth inhibition
A recent study has shown that bisphenol A, an established endocrine disruptor found in plastic baby's bottles, has the potential to cause structural abnormalities in human cells and also inhibit their growth.
Lehmann, L. & Metzler, M., 2004, Chemico-Biological Interactions, Vol 147, pp273-285.
Baby bottles
A recent study has shown that bisphenol A, an established endocrine disruptor found in plastic baby's bottles, has the potential to cause structural abnormalities in human cells and also inhibit their growth.
Lehmann, L. & Metzler, M., 2004, Chemico-Biological Interactions, Vol 147, pp273-285.
Contaminated fish
PBDE flame-retardants have been found building up in fish from seemingly pristine high mountain lakes across Europe, including Lochnagar in Scotland
1. PBDEs are also accumulating in tuna in the world's oceans2.
1 Vives, I, et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp2338-2344.
2 Ueno, D et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp2312-2316.
Polystyrene foam
The flame retardant HBCD, used in polystyrene foam, has shown to be building up to very high levels in trout and eel in UK rivers1. HBCD has been identified as being persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic by the UK Chemical Stakeholders Forum.
ENDS report 340, May 2003, p13.
1 Brominated flame retardants in fish from the Skerne-Tees river system, available at www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/tox14.pdf
Lung inflammation and asthma
Chemicals called phthalates, used to make plastics flexible, can be released from PVC flooring into indoor air and dust. It is thought that inhalation of phthalates may increase the risk of lung inflammation, trigger asthma and enhance the health damaging potential of common allergens.
Clausen, P. A, et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp2531-2537.
Office furniture
A UK study has shown that office workers can inhale PBDE flame retardants originating from electrical equipment and polyurethane foam in office furniture. Levels of these chemicals in the air increased in relation to the number of computers and office chairs.
Harrad, S, et al., 2004, Env. Sci. & Tech., Vol 38, pp2345-2350.
North Sea grey seals
Concentrations of brominated flame retardants in the blood and blubber of grey seal pups from the North Sea have been shown to correlate with increased levels of thyroid hormones, suggesting these chemicals are interfering with this hormone's regulation. Thyroid hormones play an important role for metabolism and growth in mammals.
Hall, A, et al., 2003, Environmental Pollution, Vol 126, pp29-37.
