[Pharmwaste] High chemical levels found in dogs and cats

DeBiasi,Deborah dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
Fri Apr 18 09:38:36 EDT 2008


http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-16-pets-chemicals_N.htm

High chemical levels found in dogs and cats 

By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY

An environmental group has tested dogs and cats for chemical exposure
and found some levels much higher than in humans. 

The analysis, being released today by the Washington, D.C.-based
Environmental Working Group today, found levels of brominated flame
retardants (used in furniture, fabrics and electronics) in cats 23 times
higher than in humans, and mercury levels (likely from fish in pet
foods) five times higher. In dogs, levels of perfluorinated chemicals
(from stain- and grease-proof coatings) were 2.4 times higher than in
people. Overall, 35 chemicals in dogs and 46 in cats were found. 

The research used blood and urine samples from 35 dogs and 37 cats
collected at Hanover Animal Hospital in Mechanicsville, Va., in December
and January. Results represent average levels. Samples had to be pooled
because "lab methods require a larger sample than any single animal
could provide," says EWG's Jane Houlihan.

The testing "raises tantalizing questions," says Larry Glickman, a
professor of environmental health at Purdue University's School of
Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Ind. "These things are just too
controversial to ignore." 

Glickman says that "we'll need to figure out how widespread this
contamination is, where's it coming from and whether it's associated
with adverse health events." 

"Because cats are finicky, owners find a food they like and stick to
it," which could explain the high levels of mercury in cats, says Marion
Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University who's
researching a book on pet food. The same could apply to dogs, especially
because they're often fed organ meat. "If they're eating only one thing,
and there are toxins in it, then it would be concentrated." 

Pets' high levels of exposure come about because they spend their days
in direct contact with floors and the ground, where dust, dirt,
chemicals and pesticides concentrate. They also chew on toys, "so they
have exposures to plastics," Houlihan says. 

The findings give cause for concern, Houlihan says, because "there's a
20-year body of scientific literature showing that pets can be sentinels
for human problems."



Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!)
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028
FAX:      804-698-4032



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