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Posted on Jan 08, 2004, 4 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Two environmental groups have joined forces to carry out biomonitoring tests on nine people. The process costs $5,000 per person and involves the testing of blood, urine, and breast milk for environmental contaminants. David Baltz, a committed environmentalist who works for Commonweal, one of the groups involved in the study, has already been tested.
Two environmental groups have joined forces to carry out biomonitoring tests on nine people. The process costs $5,000 per person and involves the testing of blood, urine, and breast milk for environmental contaminants. David Baltz, a committed environmentalist who works for Commonweal, one of the groups involved in the study, has already been tested. Results showed that a whole host of pesticides, flame-retardants, and other man-made chemicals had accumulated in his body despite his best efforts. Baltz said of the findings: "What that told me is that no matter what I tried to do, the plumes of chemicals that we are passing in and out of everyday give us exposure." Although such tests are showing that our bodies are host to a wide number and variety of pollutants, what is not yet clear is the effect that they have upon our health.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.ap.org on the 25th December 2003.
