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
BPA
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
Why a group restriction of the bisphenols is long overdue
Two years ago, in spring 2018, CHEM Trust published the report “From BPA to BPZ: a toxic soup?”. It examined how industry is being allowed to replace the well-known hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA), with very similar chemicals that may also be harmful, for example bisphenol S (BPS). The report argued that in order to avoid regrettable substitution of one problem … [Read more...] about Why a group restriction of the bisphenols is long overdue
It all adds up: the chemical cost of receipts
Heather McFarlane of environmental charity Fidra (www.fidra.org.uk) explores the hidden costs of receipts and the chemicals retailers are handing you every time you shop. Whether it is Black Friday, Christmas shopping or refreshing your winter wardrobe, at this time of year everybody seems to be heading to the shops and racking up receipts. But are we picking up more than we … [Read more...] about It all adds up: the chemical cost of receipts
UK MPs back CHEM Trust’s priorities in new report on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life
Today, the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) published a new report on 'Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life' following its inquiry into the subject. The EAC declare that "current regulation does not account for the cocktail of chemicals we are exposed to", and that hazardous chemicals are now "ubiquitous in humans and the environment". The committee makes a wide … [Read more...] about UK MPs back CHEM Trust’s priorities in new report on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life
UK MPs hear evidence from scientists and CHEM Trust about our exposure to chemicals
On Tuesday this week CHEM Trust gave oral evidence to the UK House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) inquiry into “Toxic chemicals in everyday life”. We very much welcome this inquiry, as the main chemical exposures for humans and wildlife come from emissions from everyday products, such as furniture and food packaging. Some of these exposures come from chemicals … [Read more...] about UK MPs hear evidence from scientists and CHEM Trust about our exposure to chemicals
Synthetic chemicals in our bodies: what is our ‘body burden’?
Many people are unaware of the fact that our bodies are contaminated with synthetic chemicals that weren't there in pre-industrial times. Some of these chemicals are now banned, but stick around as they take decades to break down, if at all. Others are still in use in furniture or even cosmetics. More than ten years ago, during the debate which led to the creation of the EU's … [Read more...] about Synthetic chemicals in our bodies: what is our ‘body burden’?
Use of endocrine disrupting chemical BPS in thermal paper is increasing, but where’s the action?
On March 27th CHEM Trust published the "Toxic Soup" report, which examined how industry is being allowed to replace the well-known hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA), with very similar chemicals that may also be harmful, for example bisphenol S (BPS). The day before we had sent letters to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the European Food Safety Authority … [Read more...] about Use of endocrine disrupting chemical BPS in thermal paper is increasing, but where’s the action?
Companies putting public health at risk by replacing one harmful chemical with similar, potentially toxic, alternatives
A new report “From BPA to BPZ: a toxic soup? How companies switch from a known hazardous chemical to one with similar properties, and how regulators could stop them”, published today by CHEM Trust, highlights how industry is being allowed to replace the well-known hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA), with very similar chemicals that may also be harmful. BPA is … [Read more...] about Companies putting public health at risk by replacing one harmful chemical with similar, potentially toxic, alternatives
Which chemicals contaminate our bodies? The EU Biomonitoring initiative is trying to find out
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