Victoria Morgan (Citizen letters 3/12/03) rightly raised the worrying issue of chemicals in our environment. She may be interested in the WWF UK recently published report into the effects of a range of widespread, but potentially deadly, chemicals on the human body.

The charity tested 155 people, including Green Euro-MP Dr Lucas looking for evidence of toxic contamination with any of a range of 77 chemicals routinely used in cleaning products, furniture and appliances. The results make sobering reading. More than 99 per cent of participants tested positive for PCBs and by-products of the pesticide DDT, which is associated with a range of health problems including cancers and nervous and immune system disorders.

The shocking results show an ethical chemicals policy that bans the use of hazardous chemicals is long overdue. The European Parliament is currently considering proposals for a new directive, but there are very real concerns that the directive will be hijacked by the chemical industry. Green MEPs, like Dr Lucas, want to ensure the chemicals industry fails in its attempts to undermine legislation on this vital issue.

We urgently need an 'ethical chemicals policy' which puts the needs of human health and the environment before the wishes of the chemicals industry - and does not involve animal testing. New legislation to control harmful chemicals is essential but the use of animal tests to produce 'safety' data must also be challenged. Animal toxicity testing is unacceptable, and scientifically dubious. We must ensure that modern and humane non-animal tests are brought into use through the new chemicals policy, and that adequate funding is made available for the development and validation of such tests.

In the meantime can I add to Victoria Morgans' advice to give up some chemicals and get informed, that those concerned write to their MEP to ensure we get an ethical chemical policy.

Philip Booth, Gloucestershire Green Party.