Last week marked one year since the European Commission opened the public consultation on the revision of EU Food Contact Materials (FCM) legislation. While the revision proposal is yet to be published, responses to the consultation demonstrate that there is wide-ranging support for action to address hazardous chemicals in FCMs. … [Read more...] about Consultation responses highlight support to address harmful chemicals in Food Contact Materials
‘Addressing mixtures is needed and overdue’ – an interview with Professor Andreas Kortenkamp on chemical mixtures
CHEM Trust recently sat down with Professor Andreas Kortenkamp from Brunel University London to discuss his recent research on the impact of exposure to chemical mixtures on male fertility. The new study, ‘Combined exposures to bisphenols, polychlorinated dioxins, paracetamol, and phthalates as drivers of deteriorating semen quality’, found that our exposures to mixtures of … [Read more...] about ‘Addressing mixtures is needed and overdue’ – an interview with Professor Andreas Kortenkamp on chemical mixtures
New study identifies hundreds of harmful chemicals used in food contact materials
A new peer-reviewed study published by the Food Packaging Forum and others has found that food contact materials could contain up to 388 harmful chemicals, which should be phased out urgently. The study, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, identifies 388 Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoC) that could be used in food contact materials. Of these 388: … [Read more...] about New study identifies hundreds of harmful chemicals used in food contact materials
Human biomonitoring results reveal widespread exposure of general public to harmful chemicals
On 27th and 28th April the final conference of the research project HBM4EU brought together policymakers, scientists, civil society and industry representatives from across Europe to discuss the latest human biomonitoring data on harmful chemicals. The conference had a clear message: a lot more needs to be done to protect the general population from health impacts due to … [Read more...] about Human biomonitoring results reveal widespread exposure of general public to harmful chemicals
A ‘Chemical Cocktail’ is threatening England’s rivers
Today the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has published a new report concluding that a 'chemical cocktail' of sewage, slurry and plastic is polluting English rivers and putting public health and nature at risk. The report is the result of its inquiry into water quality in English rivers, launched in December 2020. None of England's rivers assessed by … [Read more...] about A ‘Chemical Cocktail’ is threatening England’s rivers
European Parliament resolution calls for a rapid reform of FCM laws
In October 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Farm to Fork Strategy, supporting targets and measures to reduce pollution along the value chain including EU Food Contact Materials (FCM). Parliament called on the European Commission to bring forward the date of the publication of their proposal for a new regulatory framework. Action on the most … [Read more...] about European Parliament resolution calls for a rapid reform of FCM laws
UK NGOs outline 12 Key Asks for the UK Chemicals Strategy
Today CHEM Trust has written to the UK Government, alongside 26 UK public health and environmental NGOs, to outline 12 Key Asks that must be prioritised in the UK’s new Chemicals Strategy. If implemented, these asks would provide strong protection from hazardous chemicals for people, wildlife, and the environment. Synthetic chemicals are used in many different applications … [Read more...] about UK NGOs outline 12 Key Asks for the UK Chemicals Strategy
On International Women’s Day, Dr Shanna Swan talks to CHEM Trust about her research on chemicals, fertility and reproductive health
This International Women’s Day, CHEM Trust sat down with Dr Shanna Swan to discuss her research on chemicals, fertility and reproductive health, and her new book, Count Down. Shanna H. Swan, Ph.D., is one of the world’s leading environmental and reproductive epidemiologists and a Professor of environmental medicine and public health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount … [Read more...] about On International Women’s Day, Dr Shanna Swan talks to CHEM Trust about her research on chemicals, fertility and reproductive health
PFAS in German children: Human biomonitoring data highlight urgent need for group restriction
An official German human biomonitoring survey of children and adolescents has found harmful per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in the blood of children and adolescents in Germany; including substances that have already been phased out in the EU and globally. Some chemicals were present in the blood of some of the children, even though the chemicals had been … [Read more...] about PFAS in German children: Human biomonitoring data highlight urgent need for group restriction
New Hollywood film ‘Dark Waters’ highlights the shocking reality of PFAS pollution
A new Hollywood film ‘Dark Waters’ highlights the dire reality of pollution from harmful PFAS chemicals and the urgent need for strong, protective legislation to protect human health and the environment. PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) are known as the 'forever chemicals' as they do not break down easily and will persist in the environment for decades. PFAS … [Read more...] about New Hollywood film ‘Dark Waters’ highlights the shocking reality of PFAS pollution
