Chemicals: New blood tests add pressure ahead of REACH verdict[fr][de] 

The WWF on 6 October released the results of a new survey revealing traces of 73 man-made hazardous chemicals in the blood of grandmothers, mothers and children in 13 European families. 

Called 'GenerationsX ', this survey is the last in a series aimed at stirring the EU debate on chemicals. It comes as the EU Parliament and Council of Ministers prepare to issue their verdict on REACH in November.

Toxicologists are currently at odds over how to interpret the data collected by these so-called biomonitoring studies. They admit they lack the scientific knowledge to determine the potential health risks posed by trace amounts of chemicals found in people's blood.

The WWF says newer chemicals were found in highest quantity among the younger generation. These include brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated chemicals and artificial musks contained in daily consumer items such as computers, textiles, cosmetics or electrical appliances. 

In contrast, it says, the grandmothers' generation is the most contaminated with older, banned chemicals, such as DDTs and PCBs.

"Every family member is contaminated with a cocktail of at least 18 different man-made chemicals, many found in everyday consumer goods," the WWF said. "How much more evidence is needed before industry and European politicians accept that these hazardous chemicals cannot be adequately controlled?" said Karl Wagner, director of the WWF's DetoX campaign.

According to CEFIC, the European chemicals industry Council, what the WWF does not mention is that "the traces of chemicals were usually found in extremely low concentrations that do not necessarily constitute a health risk". The study should thus "not be a cause for alarm", CEFIC says, adding that "many toxicologists confirm that the public is unfairly pressured by this incomplete information".

BSEF, the international organisation of the bromine industry producing fire safety chemicals, has condemned the WWF study for its "alarmist rhetoric" which it said is "at odds with the scientific data". BSEF says the survey confirms previous risk assessments which showed there is "no consumer health risk" from the three main brominated flame retardants - TBBPA, HBCD and Deca-BDE.

"Even the maximum levels detected are extremely low (in parts per billion) and […] below any level of concern as established by EU risk assessments. By way of example, a part per billion is roughly equivalent to one second per 32 years," the BSEF said in a statement.

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME from its French acronym) said "it has now been scientifically demonstrated that there is indeed a link between chemical products and the appearance of diseases", in particular cancers. CPME draws attention to WHO (World Health Organisation) registers which show cancer rates have risen "alarmingly" since the 1950s and that cancers affect "all age ranges". 

CPME are calling on authorities to "involve the medical profession" in preventing diseases and informing the public about the environmental factors of disease, including chemical pollution. In the words of CPME, "the substitution principle should be mandatory in respect of all highly suspicious chemicals".