Cancer-causing pollutants in our bread, milk and eggs

By Arthur Martin

Last updated at 13:57 21 September 2006


Toxic chemicals linked to cancer can be found in everyday "healthy" foods like bread and eggs, a report warns.

Tests carried out by the World Wildlife Fund For Nature found them in all 27 food products which were checked.

The toxins were also found in the blood of every person who was tested over a five-year period.

All the chemicals discovered in the food samples were within legal limits. But experts warned that the man-made toxins could still pose serious long-term health risks.

The mixing of such pollutants, even at low levels, could increase the danger.

Eight pollutants, some of which have already been banned in Europe, were found in a variety of 'healthy foods' including eggs, milk, salmon and brown bread.

All the chemicals are or have been used in everyday products like food packaging and saucepans and are now widely dispersed in the atmosphere and soil.

They have been linked to breast and prostate cancer, brain damage, liver damage, diabetes and reduced fertility. Some cause serious damage to unborn children.

The tests were carried out as part of a WWF campaign to persuade the EU to ban various man-made chemicals or introduce stiffer regulations on their use.

Paul King, director of campaigns for the UK branch of WWF, said: "Because of decades of inadequate legislation, even healthy diets are exposing us to potentially harmful chemicals, and nowhere near enough is known about the long-term effects.

"While each item of food we tested is probably safe to eat on its own, taken together over long periods they contribute significantly to our body burden of chemicals."

WWF said the report was based on tests carried out on samples from supermarkets in Britain, Italy, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Finland and Poland.

In Britain 15 food types, including meats, dairy products, honey and olive oil, contained traces of at least two of the dangerous chemicals. The organisation said consumers may "not necessarily" get sick from eating the items, but expressed serious concerns about potential long-term effects, especially for pregnant women and young children.

"It is shocking to see that even a healthy diet leads to the daily uptake of so many contaminants," said Sandra Jen, director of WWF's DetoX campaign. "Breaking this global chain of contamination will require a strong commitment from EU politicians."

The European Parliament is due to vote later this year on a bill designed to reduce the industrial use of potentially hazardous chemicals.

However, under pressure from industry, the bill has been watered down. The Food Standards Agency said: "The levels do not pose health concerns because they are well below the legal limit."

The Everyday 'Poisons'

ORGANOCHLORINES

Used in: Pest control. Banned in Europe Linked to: Brain development defects, diabetes, and reduced immunity

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS

Used in: Coolants and lubricants. Banned worldwide.

Linked to: Brain and nerve damage

BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANTS

Used in: Furniture, clothing and carpets Linked to: Cancer (All three were found in: Butter, cheese, bacon, sausages, milk, olive oil, chicken, fish fingers, salmon, orange juice, tuna and brown bread).

PHTHALATES

Used in: Plastics, toiletries and cosmetics Linked to: Declining fertility, premature birth, asthma and eczema.

ALKYLPHENOLS

Used in: Detergents Linked to: Breast, testicular, and prostate cancer, obesity and diabetes (Both found in: Butter, cheese, bacon, sausages, milk, olive oil, and chicken breast).

PERFLUORINATED CHEMICALS

Used in: Packaging and non-stick coating Linked to: Liver damage and prostate cancer (Found in: Fish fingers, salmon, tuna and brown bread).

ORGANOTINS

Used in: Biocides and wood preservatives Linked to: Reduced immunity and liver damage (Found in: Fish fingers, salmon, and tuna).

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