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
Endocrine Disruptors
UK Government U-turns on deletion of ban on hormone disrupting pesticides, claims it was a ‘drafting error’
Following a legal letter from Leigh Day on behalf of CHEM Trust, the UK Government have announced today that they will re-instate a ban on pesticides with endocrine (hormone) disrupting properties in their no-deal Brexit laws. The Government are claiming this is a drafting error, yet this European ban on endocrine disrupting pesticides has been a major focus of lobbying from … [Read more...] about UK Government U-turns on deletion of ban on hormone disrupting pesticides, claims it was a ‘drafting error’
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
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
The Chemical Cocktail: new research on mixture effects points to urgent need for action
Throughout our life we are exposed to hundreds of chemicals from multiple sources including from food, consumer products, household dust and drinking water. Current safety assessments mainly focus on single substances. However, combined exposure to many chemicals can lead to unacceptable effects, even if single substances in the mixture are below their individual safety … [Read more...] about The Chemical Cocktail: new research on mixture effects points to urgent need for action
Two new reports on endocrine disrupters show the way forward for regulatory action in Europe
We are all exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from everyday sources, including food contact materials, cosmetics and toys, and these are linked to a range of health concerns. In 2017 the EU Commission announced that it would develop a new strategy to minimise exposures of EU citizens to endocrine disrupters beyond pesticides and biocides. In November 2018 the … [Read more...] about Two new reports on endocrine disrupters show the way forward for regulatory action in Europe
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
Phthalates: Research finds more worrying links with human health problems
Phthalates are a well-known problematic group of chemicals for human health, which is why some of the uses of certain phthalates in toys and other children’s products are partly restricted in the EU. However, this does not mean that adults and children are not exposed to them from other sources. They have a wide variety of uses and are found in everyday consumer products such … [Read more...] about Phthalates: Research finds more worrying links with human health problems
New EU Communication on endocrine disrupters: missing the action
It has already taken many years of debate for the EU to agree on criteria for identifying endocrine disrupting pesticides and biocides as a first step for regulatory controls. However, exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from various other sources, including from food contact materials, cosmetics and toys are leading to concerns about impacts on health and the … [Read more...] about New EU Communication on endocrine disrupters: missing the action
Hazardous chemicals and plastic packaging: what are the concerns?
As CHEM Trust reported in May a collaboration of academic scientists and NGOs have been working together to identify the hazardous chemicals associated with plastic packaging. We reported that over 4000 chemicals have been identified that are potentially present in plastic packaging or used during its manufacture. At least 148 of these chemicals have been identified as … [Read more...] about Hazardous chemicals and plastic packaging: what are the concerns?