根據美國華盛頓州生態部公佈的最新3項研究結果指出，數十年前遭禁的有毒化學物質仍舊殘留在環境中，並聚合進入食物鏈，對人體和環境造成危害。這項關於淡水魚中殘留的有毒污染物和沈澱物的最新數據，也證實了華盛頓州推動減少使用有毒物質的決心。
在其中一項研究中，州政府研究人員從45個地點搜集的93個淡水魚採樣中，檢驗出相當高濃度的有毒物質。
這些有毒物質包括多氯聯苯、戴奧辛、DDE和狄氏2種有機氯農藥，以及一般稱為溴化二苯醚的溴化阻燃劑。
多氯聯苯是一種用於加工的氯化物，曾用於如變壓器、電容器和電子設備中的冷却劑和潤滑劑、舊式螢光燈照明設備和液壓油等產品，而在考量多氯聯苯毒性和殘留在環境之中的問題下，1977年此類工業品開始停產。
像溴化二苯醚此類的阻燃劑，則是添加在塑膠和泡沫塑料產品中的化合物，如電信設備、電線、膠黏劑、布料塗膠、泡沫塑料坐墊和地毯填料等等。
Toxic chemicals banned decades ago continue to linger in the environment and concentrate in the food chain, threatening people and the environment, according to three recent studies by the Washington state Department of Ecology.
The new data on toxic contaminants in freshwater fish and sediments add evidence to the state's push to reduce and eliminate the use of toxic substances.
In one of the studies, state government scientists found unacceptable levels of toxic substances in 93 samples of freshwater fish collected from 45 sites.
The toxic substances included polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs; dioxins; two chlorinated pesticides, DDE and dieldrin; and brominated flame retardants known as poly-brominated diphenyl ethers, PBDEs.
PCBs are a family of manufactured, chlorinated chemical compounds that were once used in products such as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors, electrical equipment, old fluorescent lighting fixtures, and hydraulic oils. Commercial production of PCBs was stopped in 1977 because of concerns about toxicity and persistence in the environment.
Flame retardants such as PBDEs are compounds added to plastic and foam products such as electronic enclosures, wire insulation, adhesives, textile coatings, foam cushions, and carpet padding.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
