[Pharmwaste] Health Alert Over Chemicals in River

Thu, 9 Jun 2005 14:41:25 -0400

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http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/40900.html

Health alert over chemicals in river

Vicky Collins, Environmental Correspondent

June 9,  2005

=20

THE cocktail of chemicals entering British waterways may be causing far =
more
damage to humans and wildlife than previously thought.
A study released yesterday found that animals suffered more serious =
adverse
effects when exposed to a combination of oestrogenic chemicals - =
including
the contraceptive pill - than to each single chemical.
These effects include reduced fertility, low sperm counts and changes in
gender. Oestrogenic chemicals - which imitate oestrogen, the female sex
hormone - are also associated with breast cancer and testicular cancer =
in
humans.
The research, carried out by scientists from across Europe and led by
Professor John Sumpter of the institute for the environment at Brunel
University, did not look at the levels of chemicals in individual =
rivers.
However, a study by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural =
Affairs,
published earlier this year, found that male fish in the Clyde and Forth
rivers were taking on female characteristics as a result of hormones and
pollutants in the water.
Yesterday's study will increase fears that the chemicals used in =
everyday
household products may be causing untold environmental damage.
Professor Sumpter said the study highlighted the shortcomings of current
pollution risk assessment. This is based on the effects of individual
chemicals in isolation and does not take into account their potential to
interact with other substances in the water.
A wholesale reassessment of the EU regulation on acceptable chemical =
levels
may be necessary to take into account the "cocktail" effect, he warned.
"These results are a real cause for concern," Professor Sumpter said.=20
"The existing EU legislation is based on the regulation of individual
chemicals. However, this is not an accurate representation of real life.
"In reality, there is a cocktail of chemicals in our fresh water. We may =
need
to consider tougher safety margins to fully protect wildlife and =
humans."
The study investigated the effects of five specific oestrogenic =
chemicals on
freshwater minnows.
But the combined effects reported in the study are likely to occur in =
all
classes of vertebrates, possibly even humans.
Although the study concentrated on one chemical group, it is also =
possible
that different classes of chemicals may combine in unforeseen and =
potentially
more dangerous ways.
Professor Sumpter said: "The second point to consider is that the study
purely evaluated groups of chemicals which act in a similar fashion, =
more
research is needed to fully understand the risks involved when chemicals
which react differently are mixed together - and what influence that =
will
have on both the aquatic environment and those drinking the water.
"This research raises the question of whether groups of chemicals which =
are
known to cause thyroid problems, or which have been associated with
carcinogenic effects, could behave in the same way, proving more of a =
risk
than we think."
Oestrogenic chemicals in sewage, which ends up in surface waters, are =
the
by-product of a large variety of products such as the contraceptive =
pill,
toiletries, household cleaning fluid and fertilisers.

=20

=20

Laurie J. Tenace

Environmental Specialist

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

PH: (850) 245-8759

FAX: (850) 245-8811

Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us

=20

view our mercury web pages at:=20

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm

=20

=20

=20

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<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><a
href=3D"http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/40900.html">http://www.theherald.=
co.uk/news/40900.html</a></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Health alert over chemicals in =
river</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Vicky Collins, Environmental
Correspondent</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>June 9,&nbsp; =
2005</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

THE cocktail =
of
chemicals entering British waterways may be causing far more damage to =
humans
and wildlife than previously thought. 
A study released yesterday found that animals suffered =
more
serious adverse effects when exposed to a combination of oestrogenic =
chemicals
&#8211; including the contraceptive pill &#8211; than to each single =
chemical. 
These effects include reduced fertility, low sperm counts =
and
changes in gender. Oestrogenic chemicals &#8211; which imitate =
oestrogen, the
female sex hormone &#8211; are also associated with breast cancer and
testicular cancer in humans. 
The research, carried out by scientists from across =
Europe and
led by Professor John Sumpter of the institute for the environment at =
Brunel University, did not look at the levels of chemicals in individual =
rivers. 
However, a study by the Department for Environment, Food, =
and
Rural Affairs, published earlier this year, found that male fish in the =
Clyde
and Forth rivers were taking on female characteristics as a result of =
hormones
and pollutants in the water. 
Yesterday's study will increase fears that the chemicals =
used in
everyday household products may be causing untold environmental =
damage. 
Professor Sumpter said the study highlighted the =
shortcomings of
current pollution risk assessment. This is based on the effects of =
individual
chemicals in isolation and does not take into account their potential to
interact with other substances in the water. 
A wholesale reassessment of the EU regulation on =
acceptable
chemical levels may be necessary to take into account the =
&quot;cocktail&quot;
effect, he warned. 
&quot;These results are a real cause for concern,&quot;
Professor Sumpter said. 
&quot;The existing EU legislation is based on the =
regulation of
individual chemicals. However, this is not an accurate representation of =
real
life. 
&quot;In reality, there is a cocktail of chemicals in our =
fresh
water. We may need to consider tougher safety margins to fully protect =
wildlife
and humans.&quot; 
The study investigated the effects of five specific =
oestrogenic
chemicals on freshwater minnows. 
But the combined effects reported in the study are likely =
to
occur in all classes of vertebrates, possibly even =
humans. 
Although the study concentrated on one chemical group, it =
is
also possible that different classes of chemicals may combine in =
unforeseen and
potentially more dangerous ways. 
Professor Sumpter said: &quot;The second point to =
consider is
that the study purely evaluated groups of chemicals which act in a =
similar
fashion, more research is needed to fully understand the risks involved =
when
chemicals which react differently are mixed together &#8211; and what =
influence
that will have on both the aquatic environment and those drinking the =
water. 
&quot;This research raises the question of whether groups =
of
chemicals which are known to cause thyroid problems, or which have been
associated with carcinogenic effects, could behave in the same way, =
proving
more of a risk than we think.&quot; 
Oestrogenic chemicals in sewage, which ends up in surface
waters, are the by-product of a large variety of products such as the
contraceptive pill, toiletries, household cleaning fluid and =
fertilisers.

THE cocktail =
of
chemicals entering British waterways may be causing far more damage to =
humans
and wildlife than previously thought. 
A study released yesterday found that animals suffered =
more
serious adverse effects when exposed to a combination of oestrogenic =
chemicals
&#8211; including the contraceptive pill &#8211; than to each single =
chemical. 
These effects include reduced fertility, low sperm counts =
and
changes in gender. Oestrogenic chemicals &#8211; which imitate =
oestrogen, the
female sex hormone &#8211; are also associated with breast cancer and
testicular cancer in humans. 
The research, carried out by scientists from across =
Europe and
led by Professor John Sumpter of the institute for the environment at =
Brunel University, did not look at the levels of chemicals in individual =
rivers. 
However, a study by the Department for Environment, Food, =
and
Rural Affairs, published earlier this year, found that male fish in the =
Clyde
and Forth rivers were taking on female characteristics as a result of =
hormones
and pollutants in the water. 
Yesterday's study will increase fears that the chemicals =
used in
everyday household products may be causing untold environmental =
damage. 
Professor Sumpter said the study highlighted the =
shortcomings of
current pollution risk assessment. This is based on the effects of =
individual
chemicals in isolation and does not take into account their potential to
interact with other substances in the water. 
A wholesale reassessment of the EU regulation on =
acceptable
chemical levels may be necessary to take into account the =
&quot;cocktail&quot;
effect, he warned. 
&quot;These results are a real cause for concern,&quot;
Professor Sumpter said. 
&quot;The existing EU legislation is based on the =
regulation of
individual chemicals. However, this is not an accurate representation of =
real
life. 
&quot;In reality, there is a cocktail of chemicals in our =
fresh
water. We may need to consider tougher safety margins to fully protect =
wildlife
and humans.&quot; 
The study investigated the effects of five specific =
oestrogenic
chemicals on freshwater minnows. 
But the combined effects reported in the study are likely =
to
occur in all classes of vertebrates, possibly even =
humans. 
Although the study concentrated on one chemical group, it =
is
also possible that different classes of chemicals may combine in =
unforeseen and
potentially more dangerous ways. 
Professor Sumpter said: &quot;The second point to =
consider is
that the study purely evaluated groups of chemicals which act in a =
similar
fashion, more research is needed to fully understand the risks involved =
when
chemicals which react differently are mixed together &#8211; and what =
influence
that will have on both the aquatic environment and those drinking the =
water. 
&quot;This research raises the question of whether groups =
of
chemicals which are known to cause thyroid problems, or which have been
associated with carcinogenic effects, could behave in the same way, =
proving
more of a risk than we think.&quot; 
Oestrogenic chemicals in sewage, which ends up in surface
waters, are the by-product of a large variety of products such as the
contraceptive pill, toiletries, household cleaning fluid and =
fertilisers.

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Laurie
J. Tenace</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Environmental
Specialist</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Florida
Department of Environmental Protection</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>2600</span></font><font
 size=3D2><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'> Blair Stone Road, =
MS</span></font><font
size=3D2><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'> 4555</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Tallahassee</span></font><font
 size=3D2><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>, Florida =
32399-2400</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>PH:
(850) 245-8759</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>FAX:
(850) 245-8811</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><a
href=3D"mailto:Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us">Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.=
us</a></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>view
our mercury web pages at: </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><a
href=3D"http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm">=
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm</a></span=
></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

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