Wednesday 21 April 2004

The survey, the most wide ranging ever conducted in Europe, analysed the blood of 47 people from 17 countries. These included 39 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), eight of whom were from the UK, and three WWF staff.

Blood samples were analysed for an unprecedented 101 chemicals from five groups: organochlorine pesticides (including DDT); PCBs; brominated flame retardants; phthalates; and perfluorinated compounds (such as PFOS).

The flame retardant, deca-BDE is mostly used in the textile industry and in plastics, where it is used in electrical and electronic equipment such as computers.

This chemical was discovered in the blood of a WWF Director, Karl Wagner, at eight times the previous maximum level which was found in a person who worked with deca-BDE in the manufacture of rubber coated wire in Sweden. Karl Wagner campaigns on toxic chemicals and has never worked in an occupation that would expose him to the chemical.

"I was shocked and surprised to find the extremely high level of this flame retardant in my blood since I have never worked with this chemical. Millions of other ordinary people like me could be contaminated by this chemical and countless others found in everyday items, such as sofas, mattresses and televisions, that we all have in our houses," said Karl Wagner. "The EU must adopt a strengthened version of the proposed chemical law that will identify and phase out such hazardous chemicals."

Dr Gareth Thomas of Lancaster University said: "We expected to find many of the chemicals we looked for, but it is particularly surprising that TBBP-A and deca-BDE were found in some individuals at concentrations so much higher than has been seen before."

Alarmingly, research suggests deca-BDE may damage the brain and nervous system and affect behaviour. It was found at higher concentrations than two other flame retardants that have been shown to have similar properties and which have recently been banned in the EU (penta-BDE and octa-BDE).

The report, Chemical Check Up, released at a press conference in Strasbourg also revealed that:

• Every person tested is contaminated with a cocktail of bio-accumulative, toxic chemicals;


• 76 chemicals from the 101 looked for were found in the blood of those tested;


• the highest number of chemicals found in any one person was 54, while the median number of chemicals detected was 41;


• 13 chemicals were found in every single person tested. These include chemicals banned in Europe over twenty years ago, as well as chemicals in widespread use today such as phthalates and perfluorinated compounds;


• HBCD, another flame retardant used in expanded polystyrene foam, textiles and upholstery, was found in one person: the first time this chemical has ever been found in human blood as far as WWF is aware.

"It's a frightening fact that these results reveal that everyone tested is contaminated with a variety of industrial chemicals, including pesticides outlawed many years ago and chemicals still in use today, no matter where they live," said Kate Daley, campaigns manager, The Co-operative Bank, "and as yet we don't know what effect they're having on our own bodies, our children or future generations."

Chemicals, such as DDT and PCBs, which have been banned for decades and are associated with a range of health problems including cancers and nervous and immune system disorders, continue to contaminate people today.

Justin Woolford, WWF Chemicals and Health Campaign Leader said: "The industry has taken very little action to make chemicals used in everyday products safer despite clear evidence of widespread chemical contamination of people and wildlife. The only way to bring about a healthier future is through a robust European chemicals law ensuring the replacement of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives."