Brussels, 31/08/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 29 August, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) published the results of a study which reveal the presence of chemicals, brominated flame retardants, in swordfish living in the waters of the Mediterranean near the Italian coast. These highly persistent and bio-accumulative substances, most types of which are banned in the EU, are used in the manufacture of computers, televisions and carpets. “This discovery once again illustrates the urgent need to adopt the new European regulation on chemical substances, currently under consideration (REACH),” says WWF.
The WWF study, “Chemical Contamination in the Mediterranean: the case of swordfish” was supported by the environmental sciences department of the University of Sienna (Italy). According to WWF, it has been shown that these chemical substances disturb the hormonal system and alter the neurological function, behaviour and reproduction of the animal. The investigation also found organochlorines in all swordfish samples but no perfluorinated compounds. The organisation points out that the swordfish, a large predatory fish, is a “good indicator of the level of chemical contamination”, and that many chemical substances have already been detected in other Mediterranean species, such as dolphin, whales, birds and fish. Professor Silvano Focardi (University of Sienna), who was in charge of the study, said that “we know hardly anything about the presence and effects of newer chemicals such as brominated flame retardants in the Mediterranean and their impact on wildlife. REACH is fundamental to get us out of the dark”.