Greenpeace: Hormone Imbalance Found in Yangtze River Fish

A recent report regarding China's water pollution by the international environmental protection organization Greenpeace, revealed the widespread presence of hazardous chemicals in Chinese waters. Wild fish that were caught along the length of the Yangtze River were found to contain elements of dangerous chemicals that have been known to cause a hormonal imbalance in fish. The imbalance has led to early pubic development in female fish. Another report regarding dangerous chemicals in animals used for food production includes the Sheng Yuan milk powder hormone scandal. "Sheng Yuan" baby milk powder is in question due to the fact that it triggers early pubic growth in baby girls. The milk may also contain increased estrogen levels causing a large concern for the people of China.

According to the report, between January and March of 2010, samples of common carp and southern catfish were collected from four cities along the Yangtze River: Chongqing, Wuhan, Ma’anshan and Nanjing were the cities where fish supplies are in question. All samples were frozen quickly after being collected. Later they were stored in the dark to preserve their natural state. The samples were then transported to Greenpeace Research Laboratory at Exeter University, UK. Later, the fish were tested for a range of hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals and hazardous organic chemicals. Heavy metals found in the tests included mercury, lead and cadmium along with hazardous organic chemicals including perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and alkylphenols.

“These chemicals can mimic hormones, such as natural estrogens, or upset the normal functioning of the endocrine system in other ways. Alkylphenols act like ‘gender-benders’ and can cause altered sexual development in some species, most notably the development of female organs in male fish. Perfluorinated compounds have been associated with altered thyroid function and decreased sperm count in humans,” said Wu Yixiu, a chemical analyst for Greenpeace China.

According to Greenpeace, the highly toxic and hazardous substances from industrial discharges threaten the ecology along the Yangtze River. In 2001, China’s Ministry of Water Resources inspected water from Yangtze River and found more than 300 dangerous organisms. More than 20 of the organisms were unknown to experts at Greenpeace prior to the testing. Most of the organisms were found to be a threat to people’s health.

Hu Jianying, a professor at Environmental Institute of Peking University said to the media that China is making efforts to solve the heavy metal pollution but there are no laws regulating the production, use, and discharge of the chemicals in the water. Dangerous substances such as nonylphenol (NP), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), are still increasing their levels in China’s water supply.

Greenpeace stated in their report that China has an urgent need to develop an environmentally sound management system for toxic chemicals. Wu said, “Greenpeace urges that the Chinese government regulate, reduce, and ultimately eliminate the manufacture and use of hazardous chemicals, including those found in this study, while replacing them with safer alternatives. This is a critical step to protect not only our rivers, but also the millions of people whose lives depend on them.”

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China. So, it undoubtedly plays a significant role in the economic development of the nation. The river’s instability could seriously affect the livelihood of the people of China. It supplies the water for 186 cities that are along the river. It is also a major source of drinking water for Shanghai. 400 million people in China are currently living on the Yangtze River.

Greenpeace also reported that the Yangtze River received the most wastewater from China’s factories and various industrial enterprises. In the past ten years, the wastewater increased by almost 70%. In 2008, 80% of the wastewater was from industrial discharge.