29 Aug 2006 - Brussels, Belgium
- For the first time WWF has detected the presence
of brominated flame retardant chemicals in Mediterranean
swordfish from the Italian coast. PBDE - or polybrominated
diphenyl ethers - are a very persistent and bio-accumulative
type of flame retardant previously used in computers,
TVs and carpets. Despite most of them being banned
in the EU, traces are still found in swordfish
off the Mediterranean coast. This new evidence
makes strengthening the proposed new EU chemicals
law (REACH) all the more urgent.
This new WWF study, entitled
“Chemical Contamination in the Mediterranean:
the case of swordfish”, has been carried out together
with the Department of Environmental Sciences
of the University of Siena. 17 swordfish samples
from the Italian coast were tested for 28 man-made
chemicals: organochlorine chemicals (DDT and HCB),
perfluorinated compounds (PFOS and PFOA, used
in the production of textiles, food packaging
and non-stick coatings) and brominated flame retardants
(19 types of PBDE). All three chemical groups
are proven or suspected hormone disrupting chemicals
and have been linked to alterations in animals'
neurological function, behaviour and reproduction.
Organochlorines were found in all swordfish samples,
brominated flame retardants in all but one, and
PFOS and PFOA were not detected. As a large predatory
fish, this species is at the top of the food chain
and is thus a good indicator of the level of chemical
contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. Besides
its ecological value, swordfish is also of high
commercial interest, as it is widely consumed
in many Mediterranean countries.
“The fact that flame retardant
chemicals contained in the TV set of a European
household end up in the body of a swordfish, should
make EU politicians wonder what has gone wrong
and support a much more precautionary approach
to chemicals - especially for those interfering
with the hormone system”, says Dr Eva Alessi from
WWF.
As this new report highlights,
current chemicals legislation has failed to protect
the Mediterranean ecosystem from the threat of
hazardous chemicals. Many of these substances
have already been detected in numerous Mediterranean
species such as dolphins, whales, birds and fish.
Professor Silvano Focardi of
the University of Siena, the scientist responsible
for this study, warns that “current monitoring
programmes deal mainly with the old chemicals,
such as PCBs. We know hardly anything about the
presence and effects of newer chemicals such as
brominated flame retardants in the Mediterranean
and their impact on wildlife. Emerging problematic
chemicals are often only found by coincidence.
REACH is fundamental to get us out of the dark”.
REACH, the proposed new EU chemicals
law, could help identify and phase out the most
hazardous chemicals. But for that to happen, REACH
needs to be strengthened and EU decision-makers
must show the necessary political will to ensure
that the new chemicals legislation will be able
to prevent industrial man-made chemicals from
further contaminating our Mare Nostrum.
