Proof that pollution isn't just Greenhouse Gases:

The group Environmental Defence did laboratory testing on Environment Minister Rona Ambrose, NDP Leader Jack Layton, Health Minister Tony Clement and Liberal environment critic John Godfrey.

The study found that Ambrose had fewer flame-retardants in her blood than Layton, but had a higher level of arsenic than the New Democrat leader.

Clement's blood, meanwhile, contains polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, despite the fact they have been banned for years. But Clement's blood was lower in neurotoxic mercury than Godfrey's.

The results released Wednesday are part of the report Toxic Nation on Parliament Hill: A Report on Pollution in Four Canadian Politicians, which is intended to serve as a wake-up call for leaders about the state of pollution in Canada.

Godfrey, the report found, had the highest number of pollutants in his blood at 55.

Clement and Layton followed with 45 toxic contaminants each and Ambrose had the cleanest blood with 49 contaminants.

Of the 103 pollutants tested for, 61 were detected in the four politicians.

Combined, their blood contained a chilling mix of nasty substances, including 54 carcinogens, 37 hormone disruptors, 16 respiratory toxins, 54 reproductive or developmental toxins and 33 neurotoxins.

It kinda makes you wonder how many of us will be around to see the world melt. But hopefully the report helps the general public, and the Kyoto cheerleaders, wrap their minds around the fact that pollution isn't just "greenhouse gases".

Now, where are my cigarettes?

Labels: Environment, Jack Bin Layton, politics