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
Human health
Hormone disrupting chemicals may also harm children’s brains – scientists call for action
Phthalates and bisphenols are names of groups of chemicals that are becoming part of everyday language. Many people are learning that these synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can be found in our bodies, and that we should avoid everyday products containing them. CHEM Trust has long been concerned about the wide variety of uses of phthalates and their presence in … [Read more...] about Hormone disrupting chemicals may also harm children’s brains – scientists call for action
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
2021, a decisive year for action against endocrine disrupting chemicals in the EU?
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?
European Commission takes first step towards toxic-free food packaging
On Friday 18th December 2020, the European Commission finally kicked off a revision of EU laws on chemicals in food contact materials (FCM), with the publication of an Inception Impact Assessment (IIA) for consultation. Almost everything we eat has been in contact with one or more FCMs, including food packaging, factory equipment and kitchen utensils; since 2014 CHEM Trust has … [Read more...] about European Commission takes first step towards toxic-free food packaging
Chemical recycling: Is it worth the energy?
Today CHEM Trust publishes a detailed report on 'Chemical Recycling', a set of technologies that are often claimed to be on the cusp of revolutionising the recycling of plastics. This study finds that these technologies in reality have major problems, including substantial energy use, a need for pre-sorted, good quality plastic input and concerns over hazardous … [Read more...] about Chemical recycling: Is it worth the energy?
New EU chemicals strategy promises a more protective approach to regulating chemicals in food contact materials
On 14th October the European Commission published a new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) as part of the delivery of the EU’s zero pollution ambition in the European Green Deal. The strategy announces a range of actions that will better protect health and the environment from harmful chemicals, including plans to ban some of the most harmful chemicals in consumer … [Read more...] about New EU chemicals strategy promises a more protective approach to regulating chemicals in food contact materials
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
A new approach to protect people and wildlife from endocrine disruptors
Today, CHEM Trust published a policy proposal on a new path to protect people and wildlife across Europe from endocrine disruptors (EDs). The proposal, if implemented, would lead to: Rapid and improved identification of substances with ED properties. Strict control of substances with ED properties to avoid or minimize exposure. Full transparency and easily … [Read more...] about A new approach to protect people and wildlife from endocrine disruptors
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