04:41 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 23, 2006

By GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News and Wire Reports

SEATTLE - Ten prominent Washington residents now know more about their own bodies, and they're not happy about it.

KING

Sen. Bill Finkbeiner had 30 chemicals detected and a mercury level above the EPA "safe" level.

A coalition of environmental and advocacy groups tested 10 Washington residents from around the state and found each of them had dozens of potentially harmful chemicals in their bodies, ranging from pesticides to flame retardants.

"I like to be in control of my health and this is a big way in which I'm just not in control," said Rev. Ann Holmes Redding, after hearing she has more pesticides in her body than most Americans.

Last fall, the 10 people supplied hair, blood and urine to the Washington Toxics Coalition for tests on personal pollution.

 It's a diverse group. They come from different parts of the state, various ethnic groups, a wide range of ages.

But what they have in common is all of them carry toxic chemicals in their bodies. Each person had at least 26 and as many as 39 toxic chemicals in his or her body.

Among the chemicals found were phthalates, a manmade ingredient of many plastics, cosmetics and other consumer products.

Other chemicals included fire-retardant PBDEs, and PFCs, which are found in the plastic coating Teflon.

Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland, had 30 chemicals detected and a mercury level above the EPA "safe" level. Of the group tested, he had the highest levels of the Teflon chemicals and the pesticide carbaryl.

"And it's pretty striking. Especially in some of these areas where we are so far above the national average," he said.

Some tests came back much higher than the CDC's national averages.

Now that results are in, the Toxics Coalition is urging the government to put greater restrictions on the use of toxic chemicals in hundreds of common products.

List of chemicals found in 10 Washington residents

PHTHALATES (plasticizers and fragrance carriers)
Found in: PVC (vinyl) flooring, toys, shower curtains, personal care products.
Potential health effects: harm to reproductive development.

PBDEs (toxic flame retardants)
Found in: televisions, mattresses, furniture.
Potential health effects: learning problems, hormone disruption.

LEAD
Found in: PVC (vinyl), drinking water, paint and dust in older homes, hobby products.
Potential health effects: learning problems.

MERCURY
Found in: thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs.
Potential health effects: learning problems.

ARSENIC
Found in: treated wood, herbicides, contaminated soil.
Potential health effects: cancer.

PFCs (Teflon chemicals)
Found in: coated food packaging, stain-protection treatments for carpeting and clothing, coated cookware.
Potential health effects: cancer, organ damage, reproductive problems.

PESTICIDES
Found in: weed and pest sprays for farming and home and garden.
Potential health effects: cancer, nervous system harm, developmental problems.

DDT (pesticide); PCBs (industrial coolant)
Banned, but toxic chemicals are still found.
Found in: present in many food sources, especially animal and fish fats.

Potential Health Effects: damage to the nervous system, hormone disruption, learning problems.

Tips on how to reduce exposure to everyday chemicals:

PHTHALATES:
- Buy PVC-free building products: Avoid vinyl windows and doors, choose wood instead. Choose linoleum, cork bamboo or wood floors instead of vinyl.
- Buy PVC-free shower curtains: Avoid vinyl shower curtains in favor of natural fibers, polyester, or nylon.
- Buy PVC-free food storage: Buy plastic wrap and bags made from polyethylene.

PBDEs:
- Buy PBDE-free furniture.
- Buy electronics made with alternatives to PBDEs.
- Eat lean meat and poultry cuts and low-fat dairy products. Cut visible fat off meat and poultry before cooking.

HEAVY METALS;
- Remove treated wood.
- Avoid fish high in mercury.
- Watch for lead paint.

PFCs:
- Avoid foods in packages with grease-repellent coatings.
- Avoid stain-resistance treatments on furniture and carpets.
- If Teflon or nonstick cookware is used, do not heat above 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

PESTICIDES:
- Buy organic food.
- Use alternatives to pesticides in your home and garden.

DDT AND PCBs:
- Check with state advisories before eating sport-caught fish or shellfish.
- Limit dairy fat.
- Choose lean meat cuts and cut off visible fat before cooking meat.

Source: The Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition