'Toxic chemicals' in celebrities

Blood samples were tested for banned pesticides

Potentially dangerous industrial chemicals were found in celebrities' blood tested for a health campaign.

Comedian David Baddiel and chef Anthony Worrall Thompson were among seven celebrities tested for 104 chemicals.

The tests were for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Co-Operative Bank which are calling for stronger regulation of the chemicals industry.

Sarah Beeny of Channel 4's Property Ladder, was found to have the highest level, with 30 chemicals in her blood.

Justin Woolford, of WWF's Chemicals and Health Campaign, said the tests showed all the celebrities were "contaminated with toxic chemicals".

"It highlights the shocking fact that it is impossible for any of us to avoid these nasty substances," he said.

'Safer alternatives'

"WWF is fighting to get the chemicals industry regulated better, so that the worst of these chemicals are phased out or replaced with safer alternatives to protect people and wildlife, and to stop the chemicals industry contaminating us all in our day-to-day lives."

The tested chemicals included banned organochlorine pesticides such as DDT.

What's less certain is how safe these chemicals are and what risk they may pose to ourselves, our children and our environment Kate Daley Co-Operative Bank

They also included brominated flame retardants found in electrical equipment and furniture and perfluroninated chemicals used in stain proofing and non-stick treatments.

The tests found that swimmer and television presenter Sharron Davies, had the lowest level of chemicals in her blood sample with 10 of the 104 chemicals present.

GMTV host Fiona Phillips and television presenters Melinda Messenger and Donna Air were the other celebrities to take part.

Kate Daley, campaigns manager at the Co-operative Bank, added that the tests showed man-made chemicals were "a fact of modern day life".

"What's less certain is how safe these chemicals are and what risk they may pose to ourselves, our children and our environment," she said.