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| Toxic chemical reports |
Chemicals and Health Campaign | Other publications
Chemicals and Health Campaign
Chemicals and health in humans outlines the threats posed to men,women and children by certain man-made chemicals.
Chemicals and health in wildlife outlines the threats posed by certain man-made chemicals to wildlife across the world.
The social cost of chemicals
This report reveals that the UK could save over £50 billion in health expenditure over the next 17 years due to reduced impacts of chemicals on our well-being, if the European Union pushes through its proposed Chemicals Regulations.
Chemicals and Health in the home
A guide to reducing your exposure to hazardous chemicals around the home.
Still dirty - a review of action against toxic products in Europe
This report illustrates the occurrence of hazardous chemicals in everyday products and looks into which EU member states have taken proactive measures to help protect their citizens and wildlife.
ContamiNATION, the results of WWF's biomonitoring survey
In the summer of 2003 WWF visited 13 locations throughout the UK and took blood samples from 155 volunteers. This survey provides the most comprehensive and largest data-set of organohalogen chemical concentrations in UK citizens in the last 10 years at least.
Innovation in the chemicals sector and the new European Chemicals Regulation
In early 2001, the European Commission published proposals for a new policy on regulating chemicals, called REACH. This report analyses the potential impact of REACH on industrial innovation.
Other publications
A Present for Life: hazardous chemicals in umbilical cord blood
Conducted for Greenpeace and WWF-UK by TNO, September 2005
This study analysed blood samples donated by a number of women and confirmed that hazardous chemicals are unwittingly passed from mother to child.
A new regulatory system for chemicals in Europe: a step towards a cleaner, safer world?
WWF European Toxics Programme, September 2002
The European Union is currently discussing new controls on chemicals, which could lead to the phasing out of the worst chemicals, and an obligation on industry to find out how safe their chemicals really are. This short briefing outlines what's being discussed, and includes WWF's recommendations on how to ensure that the new system really does protect the environment and human health.
Bisphenol A: a known endocrine disruptor
Gwynne Lyons, April 2000
Bisphenol A (BPA) belongs to a group of chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, which can disrupt the chemical messenger system in the body. There is growing international concern about man-made endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), because they can de-rail the development of offspring exposed in the womb. It is feared that they may be partly responsible for declining sperm counts and increased rates of hormone-related cancers, such as cancers of the breast, testes and prostate.
This briefing provides background information on the production and use of bisphenol A (BPA), and summarises the known exposure routes and research detailing its effects. It also highlights some hitherto unpublished work, which suggests that in Europe, some baby feeding bottles made from polycarbonate may leach bisphenol A.
Chemical trespass: a toxic legacy
Gwynne Lyons, July 1999
The post-war chemical revolution has left the planet contaminated. In humanity's rush to industrialise, thousands of substances have been released into the environment with few prior checks on their potential for causing long-term harm. Wildlife throughout the world has been contaminated and many species have been harmed, including whales, seals, otters, alligators, birds and fish. The human race itself is now contaminated with several hundred man-made chemicals that would not have been found in our Victorian ancestors. To illustrate the possible extent of the contamination of the mammalian species, WWF has collated data on the pollutants found in humans.
Successful, safe, and sustainable alternatives to persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
WWF, September 1999
A growing body of scientific evidence details the serious health effects of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) on wildlife and people. Fortunately, there are viable alternatives for virtually all known uses and sources of POPs. The means already exist to phase out and ban POPs without further endangering the health of wildlife and people and the integrity of natural systems.
Persistent organic pollutants: hand-me-down poisons that threaten wildlife and people
WWF, January1999
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are synthetic chemicals with unique and dangerous characteristics that pose a serious threat to wildlife and humans. This WWF issue brief describes what POPs are, details some of their effects on wildlife and humans, and outlines international efforts to phase out and ban these harmful contaminants.
Chemicals that compromise life: a call to action
WWF, September 1998
Half a century ago, scientists made the unsettling discovery that man-made compounds accumulate in the bodies of people and wildlife. Today, synthetic chemical contamination is pervasive and global. Researchers now know that some chemicals, known as endocrine disruptors, can interfere with the body's own hormones and jeopardise health.
Visit www.worldwildlife.org/news/pubs/toxics/tox to read the report online
Marine update 43 - marine health check
WWF-UK, March 2001
This Marine update, summarises the findings of a WWF report, Marine health check, which examines ten marine species and six marine habitats. The ten species were selected because they represent a range of wildlife from different levels of the marine food chain. The six habitats represent the wide variety of marine habitats in UK waters. The species and habitats were also chosen on the basis that there was sufficient scientific information available for assessment of their condition to be possible.
Marine health check - a report to gauge the health of the UK's sea-life
Chris Berry, September 2000
The UK's marine environment is in crisis. Our seas have been treated as a rubbish and chemical dump. Our coastal habitats have been ripped up and reclaimed for development, and many of our fish stocks are over-exploited and heading towards commercial extinction. Yet despite the high level of threat facing our marine life, little information is publicly available about the health of our seas. By examining 16 species and habitat indicators, WWF's Marine health check report is the first ever attempt to gauge the health of the UK's sea-life. The ten species were selected because they represent a range of wildlife from different levels of the marine food chain. The six habitats represent the wide variety of marine habitats in UK waters. The species and habitats were also chosen on the basis that there was sufficient scientific information available for assessment of their condition to be possible.
Biocide-free (non toxic) anti-fouling systems - trials testing on German coast ships
WWF-Germany, September 2000
Following an initiative by WWF-Germany, three multi-stakeholder projects were initiated, involving the testing of environmentally sound biocide-free anti-fouling systems for vessels in coastal and brackish waters. The aim of the project was to test alternative paints on ship hulls of over 25m in length operating in coastal and/or brackish waters. The performance of the biocide-free anti-fouling coatings suggests that some of these provide promising alternatives to organotins for coastal vessels. However, results vary depending on the ships' operating conditions and several parameters should be taken into account when considering a suitable system.
The accumulation and impact of organotins on marine mammals, seabirds and fish for human consumption
WWF-UK, June 1999
For many decades, organotins have been used in antifouling paints on ships and boats. Their harmful effects on marine invertebrates are well documented. Now, their effects on other marine species such as fish, seabirds and marine mammals are being shown all over the world, and humans eating contaminated fish also run the risk of being poisoned. |
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More reports
Further information and reports can be obtained from the WWF International Toxics Programme
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WWF-UK > Research > Issues > Toxic chemicals > Reports
