A new CHEM Trust report “Chemical cocktails - The neglected threat of toxic mixtures and how to fix it”, highlights the reality of our exposure to multiple chemicals, the threat it represents to our health and the wider environment and why we are not properly protected. In the report we call for urgent action from the EU to better protect people and the wider environment … [Read more...] about Chemical Cocktails – The neglected threat of toxic mixtures and how to fix it
Science Policy
This International Women’s Day, Dr Olwenn V Martin talks to CHEM Trust about her research on chemicals and hopes for future regulation
To celebrate women who have excelled in science, CHEM Trust sat down with Dr Olwenn V Martin, Lecturer in Global Challenges at Brunel University, London, to discuss her research on chemicals, chemical policy and hopes for future regulation. Building on an academic interdisciplinary background in Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, Dr Martin has expertise in the translation … [Read more...] about This International Women’s Day, Dr Olwenn V Martin talks to CHEM Trust about her research on chemicals and hopes for future regulation
A new approach to protect people and wildlife from endocrine disruptors
Today, CHEM Trust published a policy proposal on a new path to protect people and wildlife across Europe from endocrine disruptors (EDs). The proposal, if implemented, would lead to: Rapid and improved identification of substances with ED properties. Strict control of substances with ED properties to avoid or minimize exposure. Full transparency and easily … [Read more...] about A new approach to protect people and wildlife from endocrine disruptors
Regulating chemicals: is putting a price on health impacts unrealistic and misleading?
If a chemical threatens health or the environment, shouldn't it just be replaced by safer alternatives? Or should regulators try to calculate a 'cost' for this harm to health or the environment (e.g. the cost of someone getting breast cancer), and then compare this with any costs involved in replacing the chemical? You may think it strange, but this is what often really happens … [Read more...] about Regulating chemicals: is putting a price on health impacts unrealistic and misleading?
EFSA corrects its risk assessment of bisphenol A to acknowledge that experts didn’t say ‘no health concern’
CHEM Trust have discovered that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have admitted that the abstract of January's risk assessment of the commonly used hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol A incorrectly stated that there was 'no health concern'. CHEM Trust wrote to the EU Health Commissioner on 25th February complaining about EFSA's misrepresentation of the risk … [Read more...] about EFSA corrects its risk assessment of bisphenol A to acknowledge that experts didn’t say ‘no health concern’
Science, pollution and wellbeing – three themes for Europe in 2015
At the start of December I gave a short presentation at the health session of the EEB's 40th Anniversary conference. It was based around three themes: the need to ensure pollution is part of discussions on the environment (rather than just climate, resource efficiency and biodiversity) the need to focus on increasing wellbeing in the jobs, growth & sustainability … [Read more...] about Science, pollution and wellbeing – three themes for Europe in 2015
We ask President Juncker to act to protect the public from hormone disrupting chemicals
On Thursday 20th November CHEM Trust, along with other civil society organisations, delivered a letter for President Juncker to the European Commission's headquarters building in Brussels. The letter asks the new President of the European Commission to take action to minimise our exposure to hormone (or endocrine) disrupting compounds. … [Read more...] about We ask President Juncker to act to protect the public from hormone disrupting chemicals
The EU’s ‘independent’ scientific committees: too much industry influence?
A new report “Chemical conflicts”, from Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) - who specialise in exposing corporate lobbying - finds that two-thirds of scientists advising the EU on controversial substances have industry links. CEO looked at four recent case studies of chemicals that had been examined by the European Commission’s Scientific Committees: parabens, nano titanium … [Read more...] about The EU’s ‘independent’ scientific committees: too much industry influence?
EU criteria for Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Responsibility moving from DG Environment to DG Health & Consumer Affairs
Chemical Watch is reporting that the European Commission is re-organising responsibility for the setting of criteria for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), moving it from the Environment Directorate General (DG) to DG Health and Consumer Affairs (or 'Sanco'), though DG Environment will remain in charge of overall EDC policy. In addition, responsibility for biocides and … [Read more...] about EU criteria for Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Responsibility moving from DG Environment to DG Health & Consumer Affairs
Science policy is about debate and discussion – not one person working in secret (updated)
CHEM Trust, with over 20 other European civil society organisations, have today sent a letter to the President-Elect of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. In the letter we propose that the next Commission adopts a revised model of scientific advice, rather than the current single ‘Chief Scientific Officer’ approach. The link between science and policy - and how … [Read more...] about Science policy is about debate and discussion – not one person working in secret (updated)
