dioxin contamination of dolphins and humans

[sfisher@wdcs.org]

I work with an non-governmental environmental group in the UK.
We study, and are concerned about, the levels of contaminants,
including PCBs and organochlorines,
in small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises). We have a particular
interest in those which are consumed by humans in Japan.

Levels of toxins including dioxins, in pilot whales in the Faroe Islands
(in the North
Atlantic) are now observed to be causing congenital birth defects in the
children of their human consumers. We believe that contaminant levels in
small
cetaceans off the coast of Japan may have reached levels which would
cause concern to consumers if they were aware of them, which they are not.

At the recent meeting of the International Whaling Commission, the
Commission passed a
resolution expressing concern about the human health effects of eating
cetacean meat. Japan seems disinclined to take this seriously, however.

I would like to discuss this with anyone interested in the issue and would
be grateful to learn of any consumer associations in
Japan who would be able to use information on this topic effectively.


Sue Fisher