In this guest blog for CHEM Trust, Francesca Bevan, policy & advocacy manager for chemicals at the Marine Conservation Society, shares the important messages from their new report: Sewage sludge: Why we need to stop pollution at source Pollution, both chemical and plastic, has been cited as one of the main direct drivers of the current biodiversity crisis. Stopping … [Read more...] about Sewage sludge: Why we must stop pollution at source
Microplastics
Concerns about chemicals and plastics
Over 13,000 chemicals have been associated with plastic materials like polyethylene, polycarbonates, polystyrene and PVC. However, only 7,000 of these chemicals have enough data available to determine their human or environmental impacts – of which approximately 50% have one or more hazardous properties of concern. The individual building blocks of plastics, called monomers, … [Read more...] about Concerns about chemicals and plastics
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?
EU announces plan to restrict plastic microbeads and oxo-degradable plastics
Today, the 16th January 2018, the EU Commission released its long-expected Plastics Strategy. The Strategy includes an announcement that the Commission has started the process to ban both intentionally added microplastics and oxo-degradable plastics. Both these bans will be implemented as Restrictions under the EU's main chemicals law REACH. The Commission also announced a a … [Read more...] about EU announces plan to restrict plastic microbeads and oxo-degradable plastics
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?
Chemical pollution and microplastics: a present danger to marine life
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
