press release
    11th August 2004

ign group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) yesterday delivered a 'large prescription' to the Department for the Environment. The surfers and their prescription called for urgent research into the public health risks from the unregulated discharge of endocrine disrupting compounds, antibiotics and pharmaceutical products into the nations rivers, lakes and seas. An SAS Hitsquad composing entirely male surfers wearing wetsuits, make up, fluoro coloured wigs, high heels and carrying surfboards delivered the large prescription to the Department for the Environment before meeting Rt Hon Elliot Morley MP, Minister for the Environment for a 10 minute meeting. Earlier the surfers had unsteadily walked up Millbank from the Houses of Parliament much to London tourist's delight.

The event followed widespread concern for both wildlife and human health from the cocktail of hormone imbalancing chemicals, prescription drugs and antibiotics that are being found in significant quantities in effluent dominated waters after being discharged from sewage and wastewater treatment plants. The sex change phenomenon in fish is already widespread in the UK and a recent survey of UK rivers from the Environment Agency has found over a third of male fish exhibited female characteristics. The contraceptive pill as a significant substance in domestic sewage effluent is also thought to have had an effect on the feminising effects we are seeing in fish. It has also been reported that anti-depressant drugs are finding their way into rivers from sewage treatment works with some experts believing such drugs affect the ability to reproduce.

The reports have made depressing news for recreational water users. Little research however has been carried out on humans in relation to the rapid increase of feminising hormones accumulating in the water environment. Recreational water users, such as surfers, are now becoming increasingly concerned over the long term effects a cocktail of chemicals, hormones and anti-biotics maybe having on their bodies when marine and freshwater wildlife are already showing such alarming changes.

Richard Hardy, SAS Campaigns Director said: "For years surfers have been at risk from sewage polluted water illnesses as they spend a lot of time immersing and ingesting water as part of the sport. With the water environment coming under attack from a new cocktail of 'invisible nasties' with gender bending capabilities its time for an urgent assessment of the public health risks associated with such compounds and how they bypass the sewage treatment system. We were grateful that the Minister received us at the Department to hear our concerns ". For more information please contact Richard Hardy on Tel: 0845 4583001 or Mob: 07711 767548

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