A new Wildlife and Countryside Link study tested the hair and blood of UK politicians and high-profile environmentalists for harmful chemicals. Results found multiple hazardous chemicals in samples from all participants including PFAS ‘forever chemicals’, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and heavy metals. These results show how widespread the impacts of chemical pollution are.

Wildlife and Countryside Link analysed hair and blood samples from 17 UK politicians and environmentalists, including former MPs Alex Sobel and Philip Dunne, for toxic chemicals. The results from this study mimic Europe-wide human biomonitoring studies which show widespread contamination in people from harmful chemicals. People can be exposed to harmful chemicals daily, through air, water, food, and products like cosmetics, furniture, and food packaging.

PFAS ‘Forever chemicals’

The tests revealed that all participants were contaminated by PFAS, the forever chemicals. Seven different PFAS were detected, including PFOS, a hazardous chemical which was banned 15  years ago, demonstrating just how long-lasting these chemicals are.

PFAS are a family of over 10,000 chemicals known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they will last for generations in the environment. They are used in a wide range of consumer products such as food packaging, cosmetics, and clothing, as well as industrial applications. Exposure to some PFAS has been linked to certain cancers, developmental issues, immune system disruption, and other serious health conditions.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)

All 16 participants had at least 6 of the 12 EDCs tested for in their hair, with an average of 9 detected. Those detected include the well-known chemicals, bisphenols and phthalates.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals can interfere with our body’s sensitive hormone system. We are exposed to many different EDCs through food, water, indoor air and dust, and consumer products. Health concerns related to EDCs include fertility problems, birth defects of the genitals, hormone-related cancers (including breast, testicular and prostate), impaired brain development, and obesity & diabetes.

The study showed that participants were contaminated with several EDCs. Combined exposure to several chemicals can result in toxic mixture effects, triggering adverse impacts even when individual chemical concentrations are low.

Participant, former MP Caroline Lucas said:

“When are we going to wake up to how serious a threat chemical pollution poses to both our national health and the health of our natural world? Our bodies, like our rivers and waters, are now full of toxic chemicals and harmful heavy metals. For too long, corporate interests have been prioritised above having safe regulations to protect both people and planet. We now need politicians of all parties to recognise the seriousness of the threat and get tough on this crisis of chemical contamination.” 

CHEM Trust is calling for the UK to match the ambition of the EU restriction on PFAS and for group bans on harmful chemicals, such as bisphenols and phthalates, to protect current and future generations.

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