July 12, 2007

scientists respond to a report on pollutant toxicity published in the journal Science

This paper published by scientists in Canada showed that the concentration of a large number of organic chemical pollutants was higher in the bodies of animals higher up in the food chain.

Professor Peter Matthiessen, an independent ecotoxicologist, said:

“The finding of such biomagnification in terrestrial food chains is not new, but it is nevertheless interesting. However, organisms such as mammals in terrestrial food chains are often able to metabolise and excrete these compounds more efficiently than fish. Furthermore, European legislation covering pesticides, biocides and general industrial chemicals sets a requirement for further investigation when chemicals are less potentially biomagnifying than the levels discussed in the paper. If the substance under investigation is then found to be resistant to biodegradation or metabolism, or has significant toxicity to mammals or birds in the food chain, it is very unlikely to be given an approval (or if it is an existing product, it will be looked for in environmental samples prior to potential withdrawal). New compounds with an unsuspected ability to biomagnify are therefore not expected to enter the market or stay there indefinitely.”