Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in hair and blood of politicians
https://inews.co.uk/news/toxic-forever-chemicals-hair-blood-politicians-3106670
Posted by theipaper
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in hair and blood of politicians
https://inews.co.uk/news/toxic-forever-chemicals-hair-blood-politicians-3106670
Posted by theipaper
14 Comments
The UK is falling behind other countries on the regulation of [toxic chemicals,](https://inews.co.uk/news/toxic-forever-chemicals-uk-fruit-veg-2995852?ico=in-line_link) experts have warned, as testing found traces of potentially dangerous substances in the hair and blood of prominent politicians and campaigners.
Seventeen MPs and environmentalists, including Caroline Lucas, Ben Goldsmith and Henry Dimbleby, were tested for toxic chemicals, including PFAS “forever chemicals”, endocrine disrupting “everywhere chemicals”, and heavy metals.
All participants tested positive for multiple forms of these substances, which are used in a variety of household products and end up in our drinking water and the [food we eat](https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/url-worried-pfas-washing-fruit-veg-help-2998784?ico=in-line_link).
The full effects of forever chemicals on humans is still little understood, but evidence has suggested they could pose a wide range of risks.
Studies have [linked the substances to a wide range of health problems](https://inews.co.uk/uncategorized/i-morning-briefing-how-worried-should-we-be-about-forever-chemicals-in-our-food-2997336?ico=in-line_link), including increased cancer risk, hormone and immune system disruption, reduced fertility and developmental issues.
Writing in **i**, former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas said it was “alarming” to discover her body contained higher than normal levels of heavy metals and toxic chemicals, despite her efforts to avoid buying products that contain the substances.
More than half of the participants’ samples were found to contain volumes of PFAS that could present an increased health risk.
PFAS are human-made substances that have been widely used since the 40s in a range of everyday products and industrial processes. They are virtually indestructible and do not break down in the environment.
The testing also found above-average levels of heavy metals, including chromium and mercury, in the participants’ hair and blood stream.
In addition to the human health effects, chemical pollution [poses a threat to Britain’s natural environment](https://inews.co.uk/news/toxic-pollution-forever-chemicals-british-rivers-1422065?ico=in-line_link).
Chemical pollution is prevalent in Britain’s rivers, with none of the country’s waterways currently reaching a “good” chemical status based on the European-wide standard for measuring a river’s health.
Forever chemicals [have been found in the drinking water](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/28/forever-chemicals-found-in-drinking-water-sources-across-england) sources of the vast majority of England’s water companies.
Are the chemicals ok? Not a very hospitable environment.
Brilliant! The best way to get them to act is by showing that they are not immune from the consequences of their actions.
Perhaps these chemicals are normal for our reptilian overlords?
Toxicity found in politicians is hardly shocking news
I don’t see how the regulation of toxic chemicals is a difficult thing to do. Just copy what the EU is doing and you’re done. Not that difficult
Do we know if there’s any risk of cross-species contamination, can this also affect humans?
So they are not immune from their own consequences and will suffer with us, common folk.
High levels of the most toxic substance ‘Tory policy’ found in the cabinet
Think we’ve found the root cause and birthplace of these toxic forever chemicals.
Glad to hear that this problem will finally be sorted
“I have a degree in political science!”
“Ooh I’ve heard about those forever chemicals”
They are affected. Maybe something going to be done now??
The rich and powerful are building bunkers to hide in once climate change kicks into full gear. The good news is that even they will have no defence against these pollutants and are suffering all the same ill consequences of them that we are.