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
Chemicals
Applications open for paid 12 month internship at green charity CHEM Trust, in London
CHEM Trust is pleased to announce that we are now looking for applicants for our 12 month paid internship; salary £22,500, for 5 days per week. We are a small, dynamic and influential charity, working mainly at EU and UK levels to protect humans and wildlife from harmful chemicals. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly … [Read more...] about Applications open for paid 12 month internship at green charity CHEM Trust, in London
New EU roadmap proposes action to ban some of the most hazardous chemicals from consumer products
Yesterday the European Commission published the "Restrictions Roadmap", a new plan to restrict the use of a number of groups of chemicals, including bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS and flame retardants. The chemicals concerned all have severe hazards, including endocrine disruption, cancer-causing properties and persistence in the environment. They are routinely used in a wide … [Read more...] about New EU roadmap proposes action to ban some of the most hazardous chemicals from consumer products
UK NGOs call for urgent ban of all PFAS
CHEM Trust is joining health and environment UK NGOs calling on the UK Governments to urgently ban the use of all ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances). It is the only way to prevent the continual pollution of the UK environment with the most persistent human-made chemicals known to date, and protect current and future generations from the impact … [Read more...] about UK NGOs call for urgent ban of all PFAS
Chemical Cocktails – The neglected threat of toxic mixtures and how to fix it
A new CHEM Trust report “Chemical cocktails - The neglected threat of toxic mixtures and how to fix it”, highlights the reality of our exposure to multiple chemicals, the threat it represents to our health and the wider environment and why we are not properly protected. In the report we call for urgent action from the EU to better protect people and the wider environment … [Read more...] about Chemical Cocktails – The neglected threat of toxic mixtures and how to fix it
This International Women’s Day, Dr Olwenn V Martin talks to CHEM Trust about her research on chemicals and hopes for future regulation
To celebrate women who have excelled in science, CHEM Trust sat down with Dr Olwenn V Martin, Lecturer in Global Challenges at Brunel University, London, to discuss her research on chemicals, chemical policy and hopes for future regulation. Building on an academic interdisciplinary background in Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, Dr Martin has expertise in the translation … [Read more...] about This International Women’s Day, Dr Olwenn V Martin talks to CHEM Trust about her research on chemicals and hopes for future regulation
A history of ineffective action on BPA, and the lessons for reform of EU chemical laws
Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in coatings and certain plastics, has been controversial for many years as evidence has mounted of its endocrine disrupting effects. Two important events happened at the end of 2021 to increase the pressure on this chemical. Firstly, the EU food safety agency EFSA proposed a massive 100,000-fold reduction in the safe level for BPA in … [Read more...] about A history of ineffective action on BPA, and the lessons for reform of EU chemical laws
EU chemicals agency identifies chemical groups for accelerated regulatory action
In an important step forward for global chemicals management, the EU Chemicals Agency, ECHA, started to publish its analyses of the properties of groups of chemicals on 7th December 2021, and also put forward recommendations for regulatory action in the vast majority of the groups assessed so far. Using computer-based techniques, ECHA is grouping together similar chemicals and … [Read more...] about EU chemicals agency identifies chemical groups for accelerated regulatory action
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
UK Government proposes further delays in safety data for UK system, raising doubts on its viability
This week, after a 10-month wait, the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George Eustice has responded to a deregulatory push from industry to reduce the requirements for safety data on substances registered in UK REACH. The Government has announced it will develop a new data registration model in consultation with stakeholders. To “provide time for … [Read more...] about UK Government proposes further delays in safety data for UK system, raising doubts on its viability