[Also see Toxins Found in Body of E.U. Environment Commissioner - Reuters 7nov03]
BRUSSELS, Belgium—Surprised by blood tests that found DDT and other toxins in her body, European Union Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom said Thursday the results showed new rules recently proposed to curb the use of dangerous chemicals were urgently needed.
Wallstrom, along with several members of the European Parliament, were among 156 people from Britain and Belgium who were tested for a World Wildlife Fund survey for some 77 chemicals used in household products such as television sets, carpets, furniture and food.
Asked at a news conference what the health effect was of the trace amounts found, she and a British doctor who analyzed the results conceded they didn't know.
"Is this a problem, since I feel fine? Could I do anything about it? Is it a problem for society over all?'' she said. "I don't think we have the answers to all these questions. We have to do more research.''
The tests were intended to promote an ambitious proposal by Brussels to overhaul chemical safety regulations in the EU, requiring testing and registration for thousands of chemicals used in products like household cleaners, carpets and clothing.
The proposal, adopted by the European Commission last week, is expected to face vigorous lobbying from industry, environmentalists and consumer groups, all of which are vying to change the proposal as it heads to the European Parliament and EU governments for review.
Wallstrom, who grew up in pristine northern Sweden, said she was surprised how many toxic substances had built up in her blood.
She sent a 40-milliliter sample to the University of Lancaster in July to be checked and 28 chemicals were found, she said.
They were from three main groups _ pesticides including DDT, PCB's used in electrical equipment, and chemicals used to make fire retardants, PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
"I wanted to illustrate that this is a concern for all of us,'' she said. "We are exposed to chemicals in our daily lives. They stay in both the body and nature for a long time.''
DDT, for example, has been banned in the EU since the 1970s, she noted.
Vyvyan Howard, a toxico-pathologist from the University of Liverpool who analyzed the samples, said the commissioner came out "about average'' as to the number and amount of chemicals found.
The survey "indicates that exposure is universal,'' he said. "Everybody ... is walking around with this cocktail.''
He added that the chemicals found could be having adverse health effects, but was vague on specifics. The most potentially dangerous effect, he said, was that they could be passed from mother to child in the womb and through breast feeding.
PBDE's have been found to accumulate in the blood of mothers, Howard said. The dioxins transferred to young babies, could cause damage to their immune systems as well as to their brains, which is still developing after birth, he said. The chemicals if in high doses could also alter hormones.
However, they said that should "in no way'' dissuade new mothers from breast-feeding their infants, adding that other benefits outweighed the risks.
Wallstrom said the EU proposal for more testing of chemical safety was justified.
"We thought PCBs and asbestos were safe, of course now we have to pay a very high (health) price,'' she said.
The legislation being proposed would replace existing 20-year old legislation and shifts responsibility for testing chemicals to manufacturers, instead of governments. It requires registration and safety data for thousands of high-use chemicals.
The most toxic and all carcinogenic chemicals would have to carry the label of "substances of very high concern'' and would need a special license for use under the legislation.
The chemical industry is demanding changes to the proposal however, arguing the testing and registration would cost them too much money.
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