Tag: endocrine disruptors

With inadequate reporting of information, corporations are undermining European chemical safety and jeopardising the fundamental principle of the EU's chemicals law REACH “no data, no market”, according to a report by the environmental law group ClientEarth.

In a letter to the anti-pesticides activist group PAN Europe, EU Health Commissioner Tonio Borg backs the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) definition of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, saying it is in accordance with the international scientific consensus.

Parabens, chemical substances widely used in sunscreens and thought to disrupt the human endocrine system, are not posing any health risk in the amounts currently used, according to the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).

The Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) has sent an open letter to the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy Tonio Borg complaining about an Opinion by the European Food Safety Authority on endocrine disruptors. The industry, however, backs EFSA's views.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has endorsed the World Health Organization's (WHO) definition of endocrine disruptors, paving the way for the European Commission to regulate those chemicals in food. The pesticide industry reacted angrily, saying the scientific process has been "rushed to meet political deadlines".

Which companies are putting the most hazardous chemicals on the market? The information is now publicly available in a new database called the 'SIN List' after environmental NGOs filed a lawsuit asking for greater transparency.

A new United Nations report has provided more evidence linking endocrine disrupting chemicals to the development of different cancers, obesity and diabetes.

The first pan-European biomonitoring survey, funded by the European Union, suggests that all mothers and children have chemicals in their bodies that should not be there.

The upcoming review of the REACH chemicals regulation provides an opportunity to close the loopholes on the legislation and regulate nanomaterials, endocrine disrupters and chemical cocktails, writes Monique Goyens.

As the Euro 2012 football competition nears kick off, the continent’s most skilful footballers have been warned that their shirts could well be stuffed full of harmful toxins by the European Consumer Organisation, BEUC.

Shanna H. Swan, a renowned scientist specialising in reproductive medicine, has warned about the health effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) known as phthalates which can end up in food via pesticides or plastics. In an interview with EurActiv, she calls on regulators to better protect consumers against those "hidden chemicals".

The EU's risk assessment system for chemicals has derailed and should be reformed urgently in favour of a science-based system that takes full account of the work undertaken by the scientific community, argues Hans Muilerman.

The battle over REACH rages on with new results of blood tests by the WWF immediately dismissed by the bromine industry. Test results, it is argued, are "alarmist" and aimed at "creating public anxiety".

Concerned about the increasing effects of environmental pollution on people's health, the Commission adopted a European strategy for Environment and Health in June 2003. One year on, it presented an Action Plan which focuses on the most vulnerable groups, particularly children. Environmental NGOs and the European green party heavily criticised it for being too weak on legislative proposals and focusing only on research.

Environment Commissioner Wallström announced on 6 November that 28 chemical substances had been found in her body, illustrating the urgency of the EU's radical review of its chemicals policy.

On 11 July, the Commission will host a first stakeholders' meeting to discuss the European health and environment strategy.