Even as levels have dropped, POPs continue to stick around, partly because it takes many years for the body to get rid of them. The new study found detectable levels of a banned fungicide called hexachlorobenzene in 99.9 percent of people tested, for example. DDE, which arises from the metabolism of DDT, appeared in 99.7 percent of the population. "Many of these chemicals were banned, pulled from the market, or regulated years ago, and yet we still have them" in our bodies, Birnbaum said. "It's a wake up call -- a reminder that chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the body, and they are going to be with us for a long time." The study found higher levels in older people than in younger people, as well as differences between males and females and between ethnic groups. It's not yet clear what the new study means for human health. But tracking changing levels of chemicals in our bodies should help researchers figure out where exposure is greatest and where chemical levels might increase in the future. "We have a better measure of what's in Americans," Birnbaum said. "It gives us a baseline to work with." Related Links: |
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