Monday 3 November 2003

On October 9 WWF Scotland published an article relating to one of our own, Hazel MacBeth WWF Scotland's Support Coordinator, who had put herself forward for a blood analysis to outline the levels of toxic contamination in her body. These tests were designed to search for just over 70 toxic man-made chemicals commonly found in our environment.

As a lifelong resident of Aberfeldy in Highland Perthshire, Hazel's main concerns were for her two children and what they may have been exposed to, but her results were not as she had expected.

"Living in a rural area I wasn't expecting to have lots of chemicals in my body but, to be completely honest with you, when I received the envelope this week I was petrified of what I might find out. After digesting the information provided on my results chart I was relieved to see that my initial expectations were correct, but I was still surprised to see the number of chemicals I have in my body," said Hazel.

Hazel's results revealed that she has 40 per cent of the chemicals in her body out of the 70 that WWF were looking for. The origins of these chemicals could have come at any stage in her life from a variety of sources, but since having her blood tested Hazel has altered certain things.

"It shocks me that everyday items, things like foods and cleaning products are so badly labelled. I am certainly taking the time to read the contents and am buying more organic food and I have stopped using artificially fragranced and anti-bacterial products in my home," said Hazel of the changes she has made since receiving her results.

The chemicals of principal concern to WWF include those that are very persistent and long-lasting, building up in our bodies and in wildlife. In addition to the persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals there are those that are known to hijack normal biological processes and may cause neurological, behavioural, developmental or sexual defects.

This week over 120 volunteers from all over the UK will have received their confidential results from a WWF bio-monitoring tour in order to establish trends and levels of contamination in their blood. Prior to the WWF bio-monitoring tour most of these volunteers will have had no idea of the sources of the chemicals or their potential effects. WWF is calling for hazardous man-made chemicals to be properly regulated - replaced where safer alternatives exist, or banned where necessary. WWF is also offering practical advice on how we can all reduce the risk of exposure to these chemicals.

"The European Union has already placed a ban on a flame retardant used in sofas and soft furnishings that contaminates, but they need to take their actions further and protect the general public from lethal chemicals that are killing, maiming and damaging people and nature. We must all participate in this campaign as it affects every one of us and push for these toxic chemicals to be banned," said Simon Pepper, Director of WWF Scotland.