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November 9, 2005 Tests show harmful chemicals in Winnipegger's body CBC.CA A Winnipeg woman who took part in a national report on chemical buildup in the human body was surprised to learn she showed a much higher concentration of a pesticide-related toxin than any other participant.
Lab tests showed a total of 60 chemicals, with an average of 44 found in each volunteer, some in trace amounts. The contaminants include suspected carcinogens and chemicals that may cause reproductive disorders, harm the development of children, disrupt hormone systems or are associated with respiratory illnesses. 39 chemicals: Winnipeg lawyer Merrell-Ann Phare, a Winnipeg lawyer, said tests showed she had at least four times the amount of a chemical called dimehtyl thiophosphate (DMTP) in her system, compared with participants in other parts of the country. DMTP is a breakdown product of pesticides, including malathion, which is used to control mosquitoes in Winnipeg . Experts say the chemical can interfere with the reproductive system and cause cancer. "As you can imagine, I was really surprised by that. I was shocked," said Phare, who said she tries to avoid exposure to chemicals and eats a vegetarian, mostly organic diet. "I immediately thought of what it meant for my health and the health of other people in Winnipeg , particularly children." The testing indicated Phare's blood and urine contained 39 of the 88 harmful chemicals examined. "I can look at one individually and say, 'Oh, that one's not too bad or that one's not so high.' But when I look at the whole list of all the things that are in my body, I wonder how they relate to one another," she said. "What does it mean when I have high levels of malathion, plus PCBs, plus heavy metals? I think that's one of the concerns is: how do you know how things interact, and when levels are being set for what's safe in Canada , do they take all those issues into account?" Not statistically significant A spokesperson for Health Canada said the department will look into claims made in the study, noting a sample of 11 people is too small to produce statistically significant results. Such body-burden studies have been conducted in Europe and the United States , but little is known about pollution levels in Canadians. The tests included in Environmental Defence's study cost $1,545 per volunteer, the report said. Volunteers were selected to be representative of the Canadian population. They were asked about their diet and lifestyle as part of the report.
Contaminants included polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), persistent chemicals used as fire retardants that are suspected hormone disruptors, and perfluorinated chemicals (PFOs) used in stain repellents, non-stick cookware and food packaging. The group suggests Canadians can reduce their exposure by making small changes in their lifestyle and purchasing habits, such as not using pesticides and avoiding cosmetics and toiletries with synthetic fragrances. In response to the study, Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence, called on the federal government to:
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