A new year provides an opportunity to reflect on achievements in the past year, and to prioritise actions in the year ahead. In CHEM Trust's analysis, one vital objective is for the EU to improve the protection of people and wildlife from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Of the many serious and irreversible effects EDCs may have on important body functions, CHEM Trust … [Read more...] about 2021, a decisive year for action against endocrine disrupting chemicals in the EU?
High time for the EU to protect us from exposure to chemical mixtures
In real life we are all exposed to hundreds of chemicals from multiple sources including from food, consumer products, household dust and drinking water. The environment - rivers, oceans and countryside - is also polluted by hundreds of different substances, including pesticides, plasticisers, flame retardants and pharmaceuticals. However, current safety assessments of … [Read more...] about High time for the EU to protect us from exposure to chemical mixtures
EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors must lead to urgent, protective action
At the end of last week the European Commission's stakeholder consultation on the fitness check on European Union legislation on endocrine disruptors closed. Chemicals such as the bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS and some flame retardants, which are used in many everyday products from furnishings and toys to food packaging and cosmetics, have all been found to disrupt the … [Read more...] about EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors must lead to urgent, protective action
EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors, another delay or potential game changer?
At the end of 2019 the European Commission opened a stakeholder consultation on a fitness check on European Union legislation on endocrine disruptors. The fitness check aims to look at the coherence of different regulatory approaches to the assessment and management of endocrine disruptors; asking if the current legislation delivers its objectives to protect human health and … [Read more...] about EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors, another delay or potential game changer?
Regulating substances as groups: creating more rapid and effective risk management of hazardous chemicals
This week CHEM Trust’s Head of Science, Dr Ninja Reineke, is speaking on a panel at the Helsinki Chemical Forum on the subject of regulating groups of hazardous chemicals. Below she explains why this approach is needed to better protect wildlife and humans from hazardous chemicals. Business as usual is not an option The history of chemical regulation is full of examples of … [Read more...] about Regulating substances as groups: creating more rapid and effective risk management of hazardous chemicals
The Chemical Cocktail: new research on mixture effects points to urgent need for action
Throughout our life we are exposed to hundreds of chemicals from multiple sources including from food, consumer products, household dust and drinking water. Current safety assessments mainly focus on single substances. However, combined exposure to many chemicals can lead to unacceptable effects, even if single substances in the mixture are below their individual safety … [Read more...] about The Chemical Cocktail: new research on mixture effects points to urgent need for action
Two new reports on endocrine disrupters show the way forward for regulatory action in Europe
We are all exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from everyday sources, including food contact materials, cosmetics and toys, and these are linked to a range of health concerns. In 2017 the EU Commission announced that it would develop a new strategy to minimise exposures of EU citizens to endocrine disrupters beyond pesticides and biocides. In November 2018 the … [Read more...] about Two new reports on endocrine disrupters show the way forward for regulatory action in Europe
Synthetic chemicals in our bodies: what is our ‘body burden’?
Many people are unaware of the fact that our bodies are contaminated with synthetic chemicals that weren't there in pre-industrial times. Some of these chemicals are now banned, but stick around as they take decades to break down, if at all. Others are still in use in furniture or even cosmetics. More than ten years ago, during the debate which led to the creation of the EU's … [Read more...] about Synthetic chemicals in our bodies: what is our ‘body burden’?
New EU Communication on endocrine disrupters: missing the action
It has already taken many years of debate for the EU to agree on criteria for identifying endocrine disrupting pesticides and biocides as a first step for regulatory controls. However, exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from various other sources, including from food contact materials, cosmetics and toys are leading to concerns about impacts on health and the … [Read more...] about New EU Communication on endocrine disrupters: missing the action
Endocrine Disrupters: The delays continue, as the EU Commission consults on a new EDC framework
The European Union is currently relying on a 19 year old strategy for much of its work on Endocrine (Hormone) Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), chemicals that can disrupt the sensitive endocrine system of people and wildlife. The European Commission is now consulting on a 'Roadmap' "Towards a more comprehensive EU framework on endocrine disrupters", which is part of the development … [Read more...] about Endocrine Disrupters: The delays continue, as the EU Commission consults on a new EDC framework