Prominent Seattleites send message about blood toxins

06:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2005

By GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - A Washington state environmental group keeps trying new ways to warn us about toxins threatening our health. Members have tried many ways to get the point across.

Rev. Ann Holmes Redding is more accustomed to giving inspirational sermons at Seattle's St. Marks Cathedral than she is giving blood. But she says she this is part of her calling.

"If we say we love God, if we say we love each other; if we say we love and appreciate the earth, then we have to do something," she said.

So with her blood, her urine, and her hair she is giving researchers a view inside her body.

These are the same researchers who have tested the breast milk and found alarming levels of persistent poisons and who tested household dust of local residents with same result.

"So now we're going to find out, are the chemicals that are in household products that these people are suing, are they actually getting into the bodies where they can find harm to health?" said Erika Schreder of the M.S./Washington Toxics Coalition.

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Rev. Ann Holmes Redding provides a blood sample.

It's believed flame retardant found in electronics and furniture contain dangerous toxins called PBDEs.

The group will also test for other chemicals like mercury, lead, arsenic and other contamination.

"Tests have shown it's all around us, and these new tests are expected to show it's inside us, but how polluted are our bodies and what health problems can this pollution cause?" asked Schreder.

Pam Tazioli is giving blood. She is a cancer survivor who's part of a group trying to find out what is attacking our bodies.

"Is it our environment? That's what we're trying to find out," she said.

The Washington Toxics Coalition is hoping high-profile people like reverends, cancer fighters and others can help send a message.

"I think it's really important that manufacturers begin to contemplate using less toxic alternatives,” said Allyson Schrier, a children's book author.

The group is also testing the blood of a state legislator and a prominent cancer surgeon.

Results are expected next spring.