Feb. 26, 2009 -- For the second time in four years, scientists have measured levels of certain toxic chemicals in our bodies. Their results offer mixed news. "The good news is that the levels in people in the United States are lower than they were two years ago," said Donald Patterson, formerly of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and now president of a company called EnviroSolutions Consulting, Inc., in Jasper, Ga. "The bad news is that we can still measure them," added Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, N.C. The chemicals in question include dioxins, PCBs, DDT, and a variety of other pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides, many of which are banned. All belong to a group of chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Related Content:
By definition, POPs take a long time to break down both in the environment and in our bodies, and they are known to be toxic. Patterson and colleagues looked at levels of 68 of these chemicals in the blood of about 1,800 people, ages 12 and up. Blood was collected in 2003 and 2004 as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) survey, which uses interviews and physical exams to regularly sample the health and nutritional intake of American adults. Compared to data collected in 2001 and 2002, results showed that overall, levels were lower in adults two years later. That's promising, Patterson said, but he cautioned that a third set of numbers will be necessary to know for sure if there really is a downward trend. Analyses for 2005 and 2006 are underway. Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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