Giant chemicals firms representing private business interests are trying to undermine and destroy EU attempts to protect the public from hazardous chemicals, reveals a Greenpeace report released today.
Falling sperm counts, rising infertility and genital abnormalities in babies could all result from exposure to hazardous man-made chemicals used in perfumes, carpets, electronics, clothing and a host of other consumer goods, reveals a Greenpeace report released today [1].
The study, "Fragile: Our reproductive health and chemical exposure", presents a worrying picture of an increase in reproductive health disorders which mirror the rising presence of man-made chemicals in our lives.
Brussels, 13 December 2005 - Environmental, women's, health and consumer organisations expressed disappointment that EU ministers failed today to seize a unique opportunity to protect people and the environment from the threat of toxic chemicals.
...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.
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.
Greenpeace urges MEPs to follow good example at crucial vote in EU next week
Top cosmetics company L'Occitane has announced it is to phase out certain hazardous chemicals, including some suspected of hormone disruption, in their consumer goods. The move comes soon after top electronics firm Motorola made the same pledge. Both initiatives occurred after discussions with Greenpeace.
Children's plastic toys sold in Europe are to be made safer following a decision by the European Parliament today to ban manufacturers from using six toxic chemicals to soften the plastic. The ban follows evidence that the chemicals, shown to damage the kidneys, liver and sex organs in animals, can be ingested by children who suck the products. (1)
UK consumers will be exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals, after the European Commission retreated from its own plans to protect people from hazardous toxics in everyday household products.
The Commission move is at the behest of the German Industry Commissioner, Gunter Verheugen. It would see a massive 95% of chemicals inadequately regulated, exposing consumers to potentially harmful effects.
Greenpeace Executive Director Stephen Tindale said:
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.
