Chemicals are an indispensable part of our daily life; some are harmless, while many may have harmful effects. But how do we properly assess whether chemicals are harmful or not? We need to assess how toxic a chemical may be, but also what its behaviour is in the environment - does it accumulate in organisms, including in our bodies? Does it stick around in the environment? … [Read more...] about Chemical safety testing as part of a stronger REACH, protecting health & environment, promoting alternative methods
Human health
Restriction for BPA and bisphenols of similar concern: small steps forward, but the piecemeal approach continues
CHEM Trust has raised the alarm about the endocrine (hormone) disrupting properties of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) for many years, highlighting that it is found in people and the environment. Unfortunately BPA is still in widespread use, as it is only banned in the EU in a few products such as baby bottles and thermal paper. But what is equally concerning is the increase in … [Read more...] about Restriction for BPA and bisphenols of similar concern: small steps forward, but the piecemeal approach continues
‘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
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