The testing programme will look for over 70 chemicals that may have contaminated us, providing much needed information about the extent to which they are accumulating in our bodies.

WWF is campaigning for the new European Chemical Regulation to restrict the manufacture and use of three specific types of chemicals, as well as ensuring that safer alternatives are used. Up to 300 man-made chemicals have been found in humans, and it is believed that most if not all humans are contaminated with persistent industrial chemicals. Babies are now born with man-made chemicals in their bodies – passed on from their mother. Some of these chemicals, if present in high enough levels, can affect the development of our children.

"Current laws controlling the manufacture and use of chemicals are totally inadequate, " said Jim Kitchen, Head of WWF Northern Ireland. "For decades we have all been part of an uncontrolled global experiment thanks to the widespread use of chemicals which have little or no safety information. These chemicals are in our homes and our workplaces, even in the food we eat. We pass them from generation to generation, increasing the risks to our children's' health. We must take action now before it is too late".

Birth defects
Scientists are now suggesting that in-womb exposures to chemicals may be linked to birth defects in the genitals of baby boys, as well as low sperm counts and testicular cancer in later life. Between 1971 and 1997, levels of breast cancer increased by more than 50 per cent whilst prostate and testicular cancer incidence almost doubled. Although part of this increase may be due to better diagnosis and people living longer, this is unlikely to explain all the increase.

An ambulance with fully-qualified medical staff took blood samples from politicians and other volunteers including: Alliance Party Leader David Ford; Patricia Lewsley of the SDLP; Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Fein and Dr John Barry of the Green Party, at the Lagan Lookout in Belfast. The Biomonitoring Tour lasted two weeks, visiting 12 locations across the UK in which 150 people in total had their blood tested. The results will be made public in the autumn.

Alliance Party Leader David Ford is one of the politicians tested. He said: "I believe I lead a reasonably healthy lifestyle, including taking care with my diet. However, I am very concerned about the persistence of many modern chemicals in humans, and I am happy to be a guinea pig for WWF. "

Patricia Lewsley of the SDLP added: "I am delighted to be helping WWF in their campaign against the use of harmful chemicals. As a mother and grandmother I find it disturbing that certain chemicals could harm the health of future generations. Chemicals should not be widely used until adequate safety tests are carried out and the information is made available to the public."