It did not take exceptional levels of exposure to produce an effect - abnormalities were found in women exposed to levels below those found in a quarter of US women.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Chemicals may damage male babies

But the banking-sector exposure is in effect much higher.

BBC: Companies count Enron exposure

Its most serious known effect is liver cancer about 10-15 years after exposure, so it is not exactly a shock anti-personnel weapon.

ECONOMIST: A sick inventory

There are rumours that Greek banks have also been keen sellers of credit-default swaps on sovereign Greek debt, in effect doubling up on their exposure to a debt crisis.

ECONOMIST: Sovereign risk and the banks

In addition to the bank's European exposure, analysts say that the U.S. Senate money-laundering investigation was also having an effect, and that investors were selling ahead of the company's earnings report.

WSJ: Hang Seng Tumbles