CONCERN OVER WIDER EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS

The Tasmanian Greens today pointed out that research into chemical exposure of Tasmanian devils had not ruled out that the origin of the disease could have been it’s initiation by chemical exposure creating a new cell line containing the transmissible disease, and had indicated that such a primary event, if it happened, would not now be able to be identified so many years after it occurred. Greens Opposition Leader Peg Putt MP said that it is important to understand that there are many other possible causes of the disease, that we may be looking for several contributing factors and not just one single cause, and that issues such as habitat loss and the stress it causes will need to be thoroughly investigated. Ms Putt said that it is clear that individual chemical exposures are not causing each case of DFTD (devil facial tumour disease), however the reports also say that the Tasmanian devil may be more sensitive than other animals to carcinogenic pollutants.

The Greens also believe that persistent organic pollutant chemicals (POPs) need to be more fully investigated in relation to their sources and further ecosystem effects, including any public health risk implications for people consuming freshwater trout, aquacultured salmonids, and marine fish. “Whilst the research shows that each individual case of devil facial tumour disease is not being caused by exposure of that animal to chemicals, it does not rule out that the original trigger for the transmissible cell line that contains and passes on the disease could have been an exposure to chemical pollutants,” Ms Putt said. “This remains a possibility that cannot be ruled out or in, but the scientists are clear that we will never be able to find out what caused the original mutation in the first devil that had the disease and passed it on, well over a decade ago.” “There are other concerns that flow from the fact that we have levels of persistent organic pollutants accumulating in species in the Tasmanian environment, including the issue of where they are coming from and potential human health impacts if they are present in fish, for example.” “The scientists have also suggested that the Tasmanian devil may be more sensitive to carcinogens in these common pollutants than are other animals.” “It remains vital to continue to investigate other potential factors that may cause the disease, including the stress caused by habitat loss.” “There may or may not be one single cause, or a complex of factors could be in play,” Ms Putt concluded..

Thu Mar 2008 02:03 (9 months, 3 weeks ago)