press release

23 June 2000

Gland, Switzerland - WWF today criticised European and Scandinavian Governments for failing to take action to stop the release of 400 dangerous chemicals that are polluting the North East Atlantic (1). WWF also presented new evidence that several of these chemicals are poisoning cod, salmon and oysters.

The criticism comes as representatives of fifteen Governments prepare to gather in Copenhagen, Denmark, next week for an international conference to discuss the threats facing the North East Atlantic marine environment. (2)

Despite the promise made by the OSPAR group of Governments at the Sintra Ministerial in Portugal in 1998 to stop the release of all hazardous substances, not one dangerous chemical has since been banned or phased out. (3)

"After two years all we have seen from the OSPAR governments is paper work, dithering and delay,” said Stephan Lutter, Head of WWF's North East Atlantic Programme. "It is completely unacceptable that out of 400 hazardous chemicals not one has been banned and so far there are plans to eliminate only twenty-seven,” he added.

To draw attention to the crisis, WWF is highlighting seven poisonous chemicals that have been ignored by OSPAR. These include:

• Four widely used herbicides, including Atrazine. Recent research has discovered that Atrazine kills salmon as well as stopping them from breeding and migrating. The research suggests that this could have contributed to the 82% decline in salmon catches across Europe in the last 25 years.

•Three synthetic musk fragrances, widely used in soaps, perfumes, air freshners, deodrants and detergents. Research has found that synthetic musks cause cancer in mice and disrupt the hormone systems of fish and frogs. Musks have been found in marine fish as well as mussels and crustaceans. From here it is possible that they are reaching the human food chain.
WWF is also highlighting the failure to take rapid enough action to reduce the release of the 27 chemicals already prioritised by OSPAR. These include PAH’s (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), chemicals released by the burning of coal, oil, gas and waste. New research has discovered that :

• Under sunlight PAH’s are up to 100 times more poisonous than originally thought and have been found to kill cod larvae and oyster embryos in laboratory tests. There is concern that this impact could partly explain the crash in cod stocks which has led to most cod populations in Europe being now classified as outside safe biological limits.

Another dangerous group of chemicals polluting the Atlantic include:

• Brominated Flame Retardants : These are released from electronic goods such as TV’s and computers, furniture and textiles. They have been found in whales, dolphins, seals., seabirds, fish and even human breast milk and can affect the liver, hormonal, nervous and immune systems. Even Atlantic sperm whales have been shown to contain these toxic chemicals.

"WWF is calling on the OSPAR governments to significantly speed up the process to stop the release of these blacklisted and dangerous chemicals,” said Stephan Lutter. "If OSPAR is serious about protecting the marine environment the List of Chemicals for Priority Action must be greatly increased. The endless paper work must now be converted into real action. Hazardous substances are one of the greatest threats facing the European marine environment. There is no excuse to delay their elimination,” he added.

For further information:

Ed Matthew – WWF-UK Senior Press & Campaigns Officer
Tel: 0044 1483 412 379 / 0044 207 255 1433 / Mobile: 0468 867 274

Nina Holm – WWF Denmark Communications Officer
Tel: 0045 352 47862 / mobile: 0045 20337862

Notes to Editors

(1) OSPAR has identified 400 hazardous substances released into the North-East Atlantic catchment which are toxic, persistent and bio-accumulate, including endochrine disrupting chemicals. This is only a preliminary list and the real number is likely to be much higher.

(2) OSPAR Commission Meeting: This will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark from 26th to 30th June 2000. The OSPAR Commission is made up of fifteen European and Scandinavian Governments. In the 1970’s the Oslo and Paris Commissions were established to prevent marine pollution. In 1998, these were replaced by the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic.

(3) At the Sintra Ministerial in Portugal in 1998 when the new OSPAR Convention entered into force, member Governments agreed to move towards the target of "cessation of discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances by the year 2020”.

Background media fact sheets are available on the history of OSPAR, WWF’s Call to Action and the impacts of Atrazine, PAH’s and Synthetic Musks. A paper submitted to OSPAR by WWF is also available which outlines the case for elimination of all 8 chemicals highlighted by WWF.



		Dangerous chemicals polluting European Waters : 400 Dangerous chemicals eliminated by Governments : Zero WWF criticises delays to tackle marine pollution as Governments gather
		23 June 2000 Gland, Switzerland - WWF today criticised European and Scandinavian Governments for failing to take action to stop the release of 400 dangerous chemicals that are polluting the North East Atlantic (1). WWF also presented new evidence that several of these chemicals are poisoning cod, salmon and oysters. The criticism comes as representatives of fifteen Governments prepare to gather in Copenhagen, Denmark, next week for an international conference to discuss the threats facing the North East Atlantic marine environment. (2) Despite the promise made by the OSPAR group of Governments at the Sintra Ministerial in Portugal in 1998 to stop the release of all hazardous substances, not one dangerous chemical has since been banned or phased out. (3) "After two years all we have seen from the OSPAR governments is paper work, dithering and delay,” said Stephan Lutter, Head of WWF's North East Atlantic Programme. "It is completely unacceptable that out of 400 hazardous chemicals not one has been banned and so far there are plans to eliminate only twenty-seven,” he added. To draw attention to the crisis, WWF is highlighting seven poisonous chemicals that have been ignored by OSPAR. These include: • Four widely used herbicides, including Atrazine. Recent research has discovered that Atrazine kills salmon as well as stopping them from breeding and migrating. The research suggests that this could have contributed to the 82% decline in salmon catches across Europe in the last 25 years. •Three synthetic musk fragrances, widely used in soaps, perfumes, air freshners, deodrants and detergents. Research has found that synthetic musks cause cancer in mice and disrupt the hormone systems of fish and frogs. Musks have been found in marine fish as well as mussels and crustaceans. From here it is possible that they are reaching the human food chain. WWF is also highlighting the failure to take rapid enough action to reduce the release of the 27 chemicals already prioritised by OSPAR. These include PAH’s (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), chemicals released by the burning of coal, oil, gas and waste. New research has discovered that : • Under sunlight PAH’s are up to 100 times more poisonous than originally thought and have been found to kill cod larvae and oyster embryos in laboratory tests. There is concern that this impact could partly explain the crash in cod stocks which has led to most cod populations in Europe being now classified as outside safe biological limits. Another dangerous group of chemicals polluting the Atlantic include: • Brominated Flame Retardants : These are released from electronic goods such as TV’s and computers, furniture and textiles. They have been found in whales, dolphins, seals., seabirds, fish and even human breast milk and can affect the liver, hormonal, nervous and immune systems. Even Atlantic sperm whales have been shown to contain these toxic chemicals. "WWF is calling on the OSPAR governments to significantly speed up the process to stop the release of these blacklisted and dangerous chemicals,” said Stephan Lutter. "If OSPAR is serious about protecting the marine environment the List of Chemicals for Priority Action must be greatly increased. The endless paper work must now be converted into real action. Hazardous substances are one of the greatest threats facing the European marine environment. There is no excuse to delay their elimination,” he added. For further information: Ed Matthew – WWF-UK Senior Press & Campaigns Officer Tel: 0044 1483 412 379 / 0044 207 255 1433 / Mobile: 0468 867 274 Nina Holm – WWF Denmark Communications Officer Tel: 0045 352 47862 / mobile: 0045 20337862 Notes to Editors (1) OSPAR has identified 400 hazardous substances released into the North-East Atlantic catchment which are toxic, persistent and bio-accumulate, including endochrine disrupting chemicals. This is only a preliminary list and the real number is likely to be much higher. (2) OSPAR Commission Meeting: This will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark from 26th to 30th June 2000. The OSPAR Commission is made up of fifteen European and Scandinavian Governments. In the 1970’s the Oslo and Paris Commissions were established to prevent marine pollution. In 1998, these were replaced by the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic. (3) At the Sintra Ministerial in Portugal in 1998 when the new OSPAR Convention entered into force, member Governments agreed to move towards the target of "cessation of discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances by the year 2020”. Background media fact sheets are available on the history of OSPAR, WWF’s Call to Action and the impacts of Atrazine, PAH’s and Synthetic Musks. A paper submitted to OSPAR by WWF is also available which outlines the case for elimination of all 8 chemicals highlighted by WWF.