17/05/2005 ‘Go to work
on an egg’ was a UK advertising slogan coined
to demonstrate eggs’ healthy properties, with
free-range eggs the best option of all. Now,
new research from 17 countries worldwide has
found that even free-range eggs contain alarming
levels of some of the most toxic chemicals.
New research from the International POPs*
Elimination Network (IPEN) has revealed alarming
levels of highly toxic chemicals in free range
hens’ eggs from 17 countries**. The IPEN analysed
eggs collected near waste incinerators, cement
kilns, waste dumps and chemical production
plants to see if chemicals from these sites
were finding their way into hens and their
eggs near the sites.
"Free-range eggs are a way to monitor
the environment", explained Dr Digangi,
one of the scientists who conducted the studies.
"The fat content of eggs makes them appropriate
for analysing chemicals that dissolve in fat".
Shocking findings – the highest ever level
of dioxins in eggs
IPEN found that the eggs from 70% of the
sites contained dioxins above the EU limit
for dioxins in eggs, and 60% exceeded the
proposed EU limits for PCBs in eggs. Eggs
from Egypt contained the highest levels of
dioxins ever measured in chicken eggs.
European countries were also on the eggs’
‘danger list’. Hens’ eggs from two new European
Member States – the Czech Republic and Slovakia
– had levels above the specified European
dioxin levels, with Slovakian eggs almost
three times over the limit. Eggs from Kovachevo
in Bulgaria contained dioxins that exceeded
the European Union limit by a factor of more
than 20.
This was the first time studies about the
presence of these chemicals had been carried
out in many of these countries, and shows
the lack of information about POPs pollution.
While these studies found that unintentionally
produced substances were escaping into the
environment, they demonstrate the need for
close examination of all chemicals that are
produced, as proposed under REACH. "Studies
like this demonstrate the importance of REACH
for ensuring that substances with very persistent
and very bio-accumulative properties are subject
to close examination and authorisation so
that human health and the environment are
properly protected" said Dr Digangi.
Every single egg that was analysed contained
the flame retardants lindane, beta-HCH and
PBDE. Another flame retardant, HBCD, was found
in 80% of all eggs.
Commenting on the findings, WWF’s DetoX campaign
leader Karl Wagner said, "When even free-range
eggs contain such high levels of chemicals,
this shows that chemical contamination is
totally pervasive. We must have a strong REACH;
otherwise there will be no way to prevent
the use of harmful chemicals. Without it we
will not be able to trust the food we eat".
* Persistent Organic Pollutants
** Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt,
India, Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Pakistan,
Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Tanzania,
turkey, Uruguay and the United States.
