January 3, 2007

Politicians found to carry toxic chemical soup

Dennis Bueckert

Canadian Press

OTTAWA — Environment Minister Rona Ambrose has fewer flame-retardants in her blood than NDP Leader Jack Layton, but much higher levels of arsenic.

Health Minister Tony Clement carries a burden of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) even though they have been banned for years, but less neurotoxic mercury than Liberal environment critic John Godfrey.

Results of lab tests on the four politicians, released Wednesday by the group Environmental Defence, provide further evidence of the extent to which industrial chemicals are building up in Canadians’ bodies.

The four were found to be carrying a cocktail of unsavoury substances — a combined total of 54 carcinogens, 37 hormone disruptors, 16 respiratory toxins, 54 reproductive or developmental toxins, and 33 neurotoxins.

“Our tests show that pollution affects everyone,” said Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence.

“We did this to try and put a face on this issue and personally interest those politicians who are currently discussing the CEPA (Canadian Environmental Protection Act) review.”

CEPA was intended to curb the proliferation of toxic chemicals in commercial use but critics say the law has been largely ineffective and it is in the process of being revised.

In December, the government announced a new chemical management plan and funding to accelerate the testing of suspect chemicals which has been proceeding at a snail’s pace.

“A growing awareness of the impact toxic chemicals are having on families and children confirms for us that our government is moving in the right direction with groundbreaking action,” Ambrose said.

Clement noted that his department is launching a biometric measuring program, under which it will be possible to determine trends and allow comparisons to other countries.

Layton said he has long worried about the health effects of toxic chemicals.

“This toxic shocker reinforces our commitment to be tough on companies that pollute and governments that don’t act.”

Godfrey warned there is no refuge from the toxic risk: “No one is immune from picking up dangerous chemicals, no matter how healthy a lifestyle you lead.

All four politicians carried higher levels of contamination than a previous group of adults that was tested, said Smith. He speculated that the political lifestyle may entail unhealthy eating habits.

He noted that DDT and PCBs have been banned for decades yet still linger in the bodies of the volunteers.

“Even if the federal government got a move on this year and banned some of these newer chemicals, it’s going to be decades before we see levels dissipate in the environment and in the bodies of Canadians,” said Smith.