21 September 2006

Dr Andreas Kortenkamp was interviewed on this morning’s Today Programme on the subject of man-made chemicals in basic food. Research published today by conservation charity WWF has warned that exposure to low levels of these chemicals in combination are potentially harmful to humans. The chemicals, including pesticides, are found in everyday food such as butter, brown bread and cheddar cheese.

Dr Kortenkamp, Reader in Toxicology at The School of Pharmacy, is a leading expert on the combination effects of chemicals and has welcomed the WWF research. Following laboratory based research, he believes that “evaluating chemicals in isolation, as is common practice, will lead to the erroneous conclusion that their effects are negligible”. Dr Kortenkamp is a strong proponent for further work to examine the negative effects of "cocktails of chemicals" and in particular how they might affect hormonal development and male fertility, and increase the risk of certain types of cancer.

Also in the press

Related articles published today featuring Dr Kortemkamp: 

The Times newspaper
BBC News Online

Further information

About Dr Andreas Kortenkamp
About the Centre for Toxicology