Last week CHEM Trust submitted a response to the UK Government’s consultation on their revised UK Marine Strategy Part 1. The response details our concerns that the strategy provides a limited and misleading assessment of hazardous chemicals in UK marine waters. The problem of Marine pollution Numerous hazardous, man-made chemicals contaminate the marine environment … [Read more...] about UK Government must act now to protect UK seas from chemical pollution
Wildlife impacts
CHEM Trust challenges UK Government on Brexit pesticides plans
The UK Government has claimed that it would not weaken EU environmental laws when transferring them into UK law in the event of a no-deal Brexit, with Secretary of State Michael Gove stating that "We will deliver a Green Brexit, where environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced". However, CHEM Trust's analysis is that this pledge has been broken, and instead … [Read more...] about CHEM Trust challenges UK Government on Brexit pesticides plans
Theo Colborn: a pioneer in identifying the problems caused by endocrine disrupting chemicals
This International Women’s Day, we want to highlight the work of one woman in particular who had a significant impact on the field of endocrine disrupting chemicals, Dr Theo Colborn (1927-2014). A trained pharmacist, Colborn had an interest in wildlife from an early age. After completing her Master’s degree in science in 1981, she was awarded a PhD in Zoology in 1985 at the … [Read more...] about Theo Colborn: a pioneer in identifying the problems caused by endocrine disrupting chemicals
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
EU takes first steps to restrict microplastics – What are the main issues?
In its Plastics Strategy, published in January this year, the EU Commission announced it had tasked ECHA to collect background information and review the scientific basis for taking regulatory action at the EU level regarding intentionally added microplastics in products. CHEM Trust has participated in the first step of the process by responding to ECHA’s call for evidence and … [Read more...] about EU takes first steps to restrict microplastics – What are the main issues?
Hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging: an initial analysis
CHEM Trust has joined an important collaboration of NGOs and academic scientists looking at the topical and crucial issue of hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging. As we all know, use of plastic packaging is increasing globally, causing environmental and human health concerns. In 2015 annual plastic production was 380Mt, of which about 40 per cent was used in packaging, … [Read more...] about Hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging: an initial analysis
Killer whales under threat from persistent PCB chemicals, yet emissions continue
PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) are a group of chemicals which were produced in large quantities by companies such as Monsanto, and were widely used in electrical equipment, sealants and paints. Their production was phased out in the mid 1980’s in Europe, and they are now banned by the global Stockholm convention, as they were found to be toxic and to accumulate in wildlife … [Read more...] about Killer whales under threat from persistent PCB chemicals, yet emissions continue
Brexit Risk Tracker highlights concerns about protection of our health & environment from hazardous chemicals
On Friday 23rd June, a year after the UK's referendum on membership of the EU, the Greener UK coalition - of which CHEM Trust is a member - published their first 'Brexit Risk Tracker'. Most of the UK's environmental protection rules are based on laws that have been agreed at EU level, so by leaving the EU, the UK risks losing these protections. The Risk Tracker, assembled by a … [Read more...] about Brexit Risk Tracker highlights concerns about protection of our health & environment from hazardous chemicals
Will Brexit risk our health? UK MPs start inquiry into chemicals regulation after the EU referendum
We are all exposed to hundreds of man-made chemicals in our daily life, coming from everyday products including furniture, packaging and clothes. The aim of chemicals regulation is to try and establish which of these chemicals are dangerous, and then to put in place measures to ensure that they are used safely, or not used at all. At the moment chemicals use in the UK is … [Read more...] about Will Brexit risk our health? UK MPs start inquiry into chemicals regulation after the EU referendum
How safe is our seafood?
Our oceans and seas have been polluted over time with a number of contaminants, from litter and plastic waste to an array of man-made chemicals which have caused numerous problems for many wildlife species. So considering these pollutants, how safe is the fish, shellfish and other seafood we eat? … [Read more...] about How safe is our seafood?
