Toxic chemicals found in pets

WASHINGTON, April 18 (UPI) -- A U.S. environmental group said high levels of industrial chemicals have been found in household pets.

Analysis of blood and urine from 20 dogs and 37 cats conducted by the Environmental Working Group found that the animals were contaminated with 48 of 70 industrial chemicals tested, including 43 chemicals at levels higher than those typically found in people.

EWG said the findings serve as an early warning of widespread chemical contamination in humans.

"Just as children ingest pollutants in tap water, play on lawns with pesticide residues, or breathe in an array of indoor air contaminants, so do their pets," EWG said Thursday in a release. "But with their compressed lifespans, developing and aging seven or more times faster than children, pets also develop health problems from exposures much more rapidly."

The report said dogs showed high levels of perfluorochemicals in the Teflon family, plastics chemicals called phthalates, and fire retardants called PBDEs. Cats showed high levels of PBDEs and methylmercury.