Levels of toxic chemicals in Chinese white dolphins may be lower than initially feared, but are still cause for concern, researchers have found.
The Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society tested six biopsy samples taken from live white dolphins for the first time last year.
The samples contained the pollutant DDT - a banned chemical used in pesticides - and PCBs.
'Definitely, we could tell from this study the dolphin is affected by marine pollution,' said researcher Samuel Hung Ka-yiu.
'We have found the existence of DDT and PCB in their tissues, but the level is less than what we found in dead dolphins in the past.'
Mr Hung said the data obtained from live dolphins was more reliable than that from autopsies on the bodies of stranded dolphins, which may have undergone secondary contamination during decomposition.
