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BFRs

New EU roadmap proposes action to ban some of the most hazardous chemicals from consumer products

April 26, 2022 By Michael Warhurst

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

The polluting chemical in our sofas – and polar bears – that shows that REACH controls are failing

May 28, 2021 By Michael Warhurst

Image of Polar Bear

Some people may think that chemicals have to be shown to be safe before they are used the products in our homes. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case and in this blog we will examine a chemical that is routinely used in sofas and which has been described as 'inert' by one company. Meanwhile, scientists have found that it contaminates polar bears in the Arctic, dust in our … [Read more...] about The polluting chemical in our sofas – and polar bears – that shows that REACH controls are failing

Chemicals need to be regulated upstream to address chemical pollution in rivers

October 12, 2020 By Julie Schneider

The news came as a shock: 100% of England’s rivers failed the pollution test. On 17th September, the Environment Agency published the results of their 2019 assessment required under the Water Framework Directive of 4,679 rivers, lakes, estuaries and other surface water bodies: 0% received good chemical status. Not one met the legal water quality standards. Chemical pollution … [Read more...] about Chemicals need to be regulated upstream to address chemical pollution in rivers

Which chemicals contaminate our bodies? The EU Biomonitoring initiative is trying to find out

November 27, 2017 By Ninja Reineke

On Monday 20th November CHEM Trust participated in a stakeholder workshop on the prioritisation of substances for a major European-wide research programme investigating which chemicals are contaminating our bodies. The European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) is a joint effort of 26 countries and the European Commission, co-funded by the EC research programme Horizon … [Read more...] about Which chemicals contaminate our bodies? The EU Biomonitoring initiative is trying to find out

Dust: Not only a nuisance, but also a source of hazardous chemicals

August 6, 2016 By Michael Warhurst

We spend up to 90% of our time indoors – in our homes, our offices or at school. However, studies show that indoor air can be more polluted and therefore worse for our health than air outdoors, as indoor air and dust can contain a number of worrying harmful chemical pollutants. Children, particularly babies and toddlers playing on floors, are specifically  vulnerable to … [Read more...] about Dust: Not only a nuisance, but also a source of hazardous chemicals

Chemical pollution and microplastics: a present danger to marine life

October 14, 2015 By Gwen Buck

Highly persistent harmful chemicals are found in marine animals all over the world. These chemicals are having lasting impacts on the health of wildlife, as even if they are banned they stick around. In addition, there's now a new problem that is concerning scientists: microplastics from cosmetics and other applications  are polluting the environment, and helping to transfer … [Read more...] about Chemical pollution and microplastics: a present danger to marine life

REACH helps the circular economy clean up, facilitating sustainable recycling

April 9, 2015 By Michael Warhurst

On 24th March I took part in an event in Brussels, organised by EurActiv, discussing the relationship between the REACH chemicals regulations and the Circular Economy, in particular the interaction between REACH & recycling. The other panelists included representatives of the European Commission (both DG Environment and DG Growth), the plastic pipe industry and an MEP, Paul … [Read more...] about REACH helps the circular economy clean up, facilitating sustainable recycling

Health impacts from hormone disrupting chemicals cost EU countries billions

March 5, 2015 By Ninja Reineke

New research, published today, finds that the costs across the EU of exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals could be over €150 billion annually in health care expenses and lost earning potential. Chemicals with hormone (or endocrine) disrupting properties (EDCs) are present in many everyday products and are frequently used as pesticides, but industry lobbying has delayed EU … [Read more...] about Health impacts from hormone disrupting chemicals cost EU countries billions

Talks and comment pieces

2022 On 2nd December Pia Juul Nielsen gave a presentation on 'Moving towards better identification of EDCs – how can the EURION Cluster help' at a stakeholder workshop of the EU research initiative EURION.   On 23rd November Dr Anna Watson co-hosted a webinar for EU NGOs on the ongoing Revision of EU rules on food contact materials and the opportunity to feed in to the public … [Read more...] about Talks and comment pieces

CHEM Trust opposes further use of brominated flame retardant HBCDD

July 17, 2014 By Michael Warhurst

The brominated flame retardant (BFR) Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) has been used for decades and has turned out to be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT). It has been detected in humans, the environment and wildlife worldwide, including in remote areas. It has been on the REACH candidate list for 6 years and governments around the world have listed it for global … [Read more...] about CHEM Trust opposes further use of brominated flame retardant HBCDD

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