Now they are finding flame retardants and pesticides throughout the
environment and especially in the far north where they were never used, just as
they
found DDT and PCB's, --more mass experiments gone bad. Unfortunately these
experiments don't just go away. There is no 'away.'

Cheriel
~~~~~~~~~~
<< Polar bears suffering from industry chemicals-WWF

13 Sep 2004 07:58:52 GMT


Source: Reuters

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L13115855.htm


OSLO, Sept 13 (Reuters) - New evidence shows that polar bears are

suffering from industrial chemicals swept to the Arctic from nations

thousands of kilometres (miles) to the south, the WWF global

conservation organisation said on Monday.


It called for a wider ban on the toxic chemicals, including some in a

newer generation meant to be less harmful than a "dirty dozen" outlawed

by a 2001 convention.


"Three new scientific studies published recently provide strong

indications that polar bears are contaminated by PCBs (polychlorinated

biphenyls) and pesticides, and are already being affected by these

chemicals," it said in a report.


The WWF said that it was calling for "the immediate phase out of the

most hazardous chemicals", saying the studies added to evidence of

contamination of the Arctic by chemicals swept north by winds and

currents from nations to the south.


An estimated 22,000 polar bears live in the Arctic and face other

threats from global warming and loss of habitat.


PCBs and some pesticides were banned under the 2001 U.N. convention.

They can linger for years in the environment and build up in animals'

fatty tissues. Some studies have shown traces of newer chemicals,

including types of flame retardants.


The WWF said the three studies indicated a link between high levels of

PCBs and pesticides in polar bears in Canada and on the Norwegian island

of Svalbard and a lack of antibodies in their blood, making the bears

more susceptible to infection.


The studies also found altered hormone levels, that could lead to

everything from reproductive to behaviour problems.


"Most polar bears probably have several hundred man-made chemicals in

their bodies and they have never evolved mechanisms to deal with them,"

said Andrew Derocher, a scientist at the University of Alberta who has

contributed to all recent studies.


"The unintentional tinkering with the hormone and immune system of a

polar bear is unlikely to be good for them."


Polar bears, whose favourite diet is fatty seals, often have high levels

of contaminants which have also been found, for instance, in the breast

milk of Inuit women.


"Other contaminants, with similar properties, continue to be used on a

day-to-day basis in manufacturing processes and products throughout the

world," said Brettania Walker, Toxics Officer in WWF's Arctic Programme.


"It is crucial to prevent these newer-generation chemicals from

accumulating in, and polluting, the environment." The WWF urged stronger

legislation in line with the strictest European Union proposals. >>