July 21, 2006

Layton leads bloody campaign:
Volunteers for toxic chemical study of MPs

Byzosia Bielski

National Post

TORONTO -Jack Layton failed to pump out enough blood to fill eight vials at a Toronto clinic where he was having himself tested for toxic chemicals yesterday.

The federal NDP leader petered out after five.

Mr. Layton was raising awareness about Canadians being contaminated by harmful chemicals, common in everything from popcorn bags to mattresses.

Fifteen cameramen, photographers and reporters crammed an examination room at the University of Toronto’s Health Service Clinic to watch lab assistant Athena Konnaris draw Mr. Layton’s blood.

“Take your time. These folks are gentle,” Mr. Layton told her in between deep breaths.

“I’ve never been so nervous in my life,” Ms. Konnaris said afterwards.

Following the blood sample, Mr. Layton gave a scrum in his chair, a cotton ball still fastened to his arm with a Band-Aid.

“I think our bodies are filling up with toxic chemicals,” he said. “We’re animals ... and we are accumulating some pretty toxic compounds that we’ve been using for our own convenience.”

The NDP has called for a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides and demanded more accountability from companies making products that can lead to health problems.

“Corporate operations globally need to be told by government what they should and should not be doing,” Mr. Layton said before chugging half a bottle of orange juice to replenish his blood sugar.

As part of its ongoing research into toxic chemicals in Canadians, Environmental Defence tested Mr. Layton’s blood for 102 compounds.

He is the first federal politician to be tested since Environmental Defence, a national charity that tracks pollution, endangered species and advocates for green space, put a call out to MPs in June.

The call followed the organization’s well-publicized report, Polluted Children, Toxic Nation. The report included results from 13 Canadians tested for 68 chemicals. Parents averaged 32 chemicals, children 23.

Of particular concern are stain repellents and non-stick chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, heavy metals and flame retardants. The chemicals have been associated with cancer, developmental problems, reproductive disorders, respiratory illnesses and damage to the nervous system.

“We expect that our tests of MPs will turn up similar levels of contamination as all other Canadians,” said Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence. “But it remains to be seen which MP will be the most toxic.”

Health Minister Tony Clement, Environment Minister Rona Ambrose and Liberal environment critic John Godfrey have all signed on. They will be tested in the next two weeks.

Publicity stunts are not new for Mr. Layton, who called the media when he installed solar panels in his Toronto home last week.

In 2004, Mr. Layton brought caulking and a solar panel to gusty Sussex Drive as a housewarming gift for former prime minister Paul Martin.

Mr. Layton’s blood test results will be available in eight weeks.

NEWS BRIEF: National Post, July 22, 2006

‘Wardrobe malfunction’ stopped Layton from filling 8 vials with blood

The executive director of Environmental Defence denies Jack Layton had trouble filling eight vials of blood when he was tested for toxic chemicals on Thursday. “It wasn’t that Layton didn’t have enough blood in him, it was actually a wardrobe malfunction,” said Rick Smith. Mr. Smith explained three defective vials with expired tubes were to blame. “If the tubes are expired, there’s no suction.” The federal NDP leader was scheduled to fill eight vials, but only filled five initially. Environmental Defence challenged politicians to have their blood tested on the cusp of Parliament’s review of the Canadian Environment Protection Act, the country’s national pollution law.

Related Items:

NDP Leader Jack Layton Gives Blood for Toxic Chemical Tests: Environmental Defence testing blood of federal politicians for harmful chemicals: Environmental Defence News Release, July 20, 2006

Liberal Environment Critic John Godfrey Donates Blood for Toxic Chemical Test: Environmental Defence News Release, July 25, 2006

Cabinet Ministers Take Toxic Chemical Blood Tests: Environmental Defence News Release, August 4, 2006.

View the test results of other Canadians tested for pollutants by Environmental Defence.