Today CHEM Trust publishes a detailed report on 'Chemical Recycling', a set of technologies that are often claimed to be on the cusp of revolutionising the recycling of plastics. This study finds that these technologies in reality have major problems, including substantial energy use, a need for pre-sorted, good quality plastic input and concerns over hazardous … [Read more...] about Chemical recycling: Is it worth the energy?
Phthalates
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’?
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
Hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging: how can we prioritise substances for action?
CHEM Trust reported in July that we are working with a collaboration of academic scientists and NGOs to identify the hazardous chemicals associated with plastic packaging. We published a database of Chemicals associated with Plastic Packaging (CPPdb) which lists 4000 chemicals that are potentially present in plastic packaging, or used during its manufacture. At least 148 of … [Read more...] about Hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging: how can we prioritise substances for 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?
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
IT’S A NO BRAINER! Action needed to stop children being exposed to chemicals that harm their brain development!
A report published today by CHEM Trust highlights how chemicals in food and consumer products used in homes, schools and offices could harm brain development in children. The impacts – which may include ADHD and lower IQ - are avoidable and can prevent children reaching their full potential says CHEM Trust, in No Brainer: The impact of chemicals on children’s brain … [Read more...] about IT’S A NO BRAINER! Action needed to stop children being exposed to chemicals that harm their brain development!
Dust: Not only a nuisance, but also a source of hazardous chemicals
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
New US study finds fast food consumption associated with exposures to phthalates
New research, published today finds that people in the US who eat more fast food have higher levels of certain phthalate chemicals in their urine. The chemicals found, DEHP and DINP, are used as plasticisers in PVC plastics, and their use is partially restricted in Europe due to health concerns; they are also hormone (endocrine) disrupters. … [Read more...] about New US study finds fast food consumption associated with exposures to phthalates
Chemicals in food contact materials: A gap in the internal market, a failure in public protection
Food packaging, factory equipment, food utensils - almost everything we eat has been in contact with one or more of these items. The EU’s laws should ensure that chemicals used in these materials are safe, but they do not go far enough and contain holes. These holes – for example a lack of harmonised rules on paper and card, inks, coatings and adhesives – mean that public … [Read more...] about Chemicals in food contact materials: A gap in the internal market, a failure in public protection