toxics

EU Parliament votes to phase out certain hazardous chemicals...

Last edited 17 November 2005 at 9:00am
17 November, 2005

...but allows 1000's of other potentially hazardous chemicals to remain untested

Greenpeace today (17th November 2005) recognised the important step taken by the EU Parliament in Strasbourg this morning towards replacing hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives but expressed regret that MEPs have chosen to exempt thousands of other chemicals from the need to provide any health and safety information.

Swimming in dangerous waters: UK eels show highest levels of fire retardent

Last edited 2 November 2005 at 9:00am
3 November, 2005

Today a Greenpeace study shows how toxic man-made chemicals are contaminating the European eel population [1]. The study of European eels (Anguilla anguilla) from 20 rivers and lakes in 10 EU countries [2] found that eels from every location contained residues of at least one brominated flame retardant (BFR) compound, indicating the widespread dispersal of these chemicals in European waters. Levels of BFRs found in a sample of UK eels from the River Thames were more than double those recorded in the majority of other samples in this study.

Bhopal Disaster - 20 years on

Last edited 3 December 2004 at 9:00am
Bhopal survivor Ruby

Bhopal survivor Ruby

Twenty years have passed since the world's worst industrial disaster took place in Bhopal, India. On Dec 3rd 1984, toxic gas leaked from the poorly maintained and understaffed Bhopal plant owned by Union Carbide, killing up to 20,000 people and leaving 120,000 chronically ill to date. The survivors have never received adequate compensation for their debilitating illnesses. To this day the polluted site of the abandoned factory bleeds poisons daily into the groundwater of local residents. Dow Chemical now owns Union Carbide.

Ruby was born a couple years before the Bhopal disaster. Living in the shadow of the worse industrial disaster, that one night has shaped Ruby's entire life fighting for justice for the victims in Bhopal. Here is her story:

My name is Tahira Sultan, but people affectionately call me Ruby. I am 22 years old, and I was born in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. I am a happy-go-lucky person and usually keep everyone around me in splits of laughter. I have spent all 22 years of my life here in Bhopal. At present, I am studying for my Masters in Science in Biotechnology.

Twenty years on - Bhopal justice must begin

Last edited 2 December 2004 at 9:00am
2 December, 2004

Indian government initiates clean up survey - Greenpeace demands Dow must pay

On the 20th anniversary of the world's worst industrial disaster which resulted in nearly 20,000 deaths (1), the federal government in the Bhopal area has called for a survey of the site to access the extent of the contamination. Greenpeace is calling on Dow Chemicals to take responsibility for the disaster by funding the clean up of the still highly contaminated site and to aid the thousands of people still suffering the effects of the accident.

Greenpeace welcomes call for state-of-the-art ship recycling facility in UK

Last edited 11 November 2004 at 9:00am
11 November, 2004

On Thursday 11 November the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee will release a report calling for urgent action to eradicate the practice of UK ships being sent to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China and Turkey for disposal.

Pressure grows on Disney over toxic children's clothes

Last edited 30 June 2004 at 8:00am
Disney pyjamas are labeled with warning stickers

Disney pyjamas are labeled with warning stickers

Our campaign to force the giant Disney Corporation to withdraw its toxic children's pyjamas from sale continues to gather pace.

European Parliament elections: 10 June 2004

Last edited 27 May 2004 at 8:00am
Illegal timber found in the European Parliament

Illegal timber found in a European Parliament building earlier this year

European Parliament elections 2004: party positions on chemicals

Last edited 27 May 2004 at 8:00am
Stickers for Disney toxics campaign

Stickers for Disney toxics campaign

Chemical legacy - contamination of the child

Last edited 26 April 2004 at 8:00am
Publication date: 
21 March, 2007

Publication date: October 2003

Summary
Many chemicals used routinely in consumer products are also present in the human body, including prenatal and newborn children. These chemical pollutants are likely to be having a detrimental effect not only on the health of adults, but also on young children, who are particularly at risk.

Download the report:

Toxic childrenswear by Disney

Last edited 26 April 2004 at 8:00am
Publication date: 
21 March, 2007

Publication date: April 2004

Summary
This report shows that chemicals which may represent a long-term hazard to human health are present in Disney childrenswear. Disney garments, including pyjamas, T-shirts and underwear, were bought at retail outlets in 19 countries around the world and the printed logo section analysed for chemicals by the Danish independent laboratory, Eurofins.

Download the report: