A EURO MP has expressed concern after a test revealed his blood was contaminated by man-made chemicals.

North-East Labour MEP Stephen Hughes was one of 39 MEPs who took part in a survey organised by WWF, the Global Environment Network and the Co-operative Bank.

The test revealed Mr Hughes had 40 chemicals in his system, including TBBP-A, a flame retardant used in circuit boards and epoxy resins, and DEHP, used as a plasticiser in many everyday products.

Mr Hughes said: "It is unsettling to say the least to know that I have fairly high concentrations of some of these chemical compounds in my body.

"It is distinctly worrying to know that many of them might be there because of exposure to everyday household products.

"Most worrying of all is the fact that the rest of my family are probably carrying a similar cocktail of compounds - including my two young, developing children.

"Everyone should be given access to tests like these. If they did and it became clear how commonplace results like mine are, we could see a groundswell for action."

Dr Gareth Thomas, of Lancaster University, said: "We expected to find many of the chemicals we looked for, but it is particularly surprising that TBBP-A and deca-BDE were found in some individuals at concentrations so much higher than has been seen before."

Forty-seven people from 17 countries had their blood analysed. Seventy-six chemicals from 101 looked for were found in those tested.