Notes

Outline

A revolution in the making  Europe’s new chemical policy

The problem

Unregulated chemicals- some early morning examples: Soap:  Triclosan Shower gel:  Triclosan Body lotion:  phthalates, parabens Deodorant:  phthalates, parabens Hair spray/mousse:  phthalates Perfume:  phthalates, artificial musks Toothpaste:  Triclosan

Health Effects of chemicals in cosmetics Phthalates used as skin penetration agents:  hormone disruptors, Parabens used as preservatives: oestrogen mimics, can penetrate the skin Triclosan used as anti-bacterials:  bioaccumulative, found in breast milk Artificial musks:  bio-accumulative

The public believes chemicals have been tested and are regulated by government agencies

Daily exposure to harmful chemicals in our lives In the home and office: - brominated flame retardants in upholstery, foams, carpets, curtains, TVs - organotins in PVC plastic products eg vinyl flooring, blinds, window frames, shower curtains - phthalates in flexible PVC products eg vinyl flooring, wallpaper, electric csables

Health effects of chemicals in the home and office Brominated flame retardants:  disrupt thyroid activity, suspected of reducing learning capacity and hyperactive behaviour; found in human blood and breast milk Organotins:  toxic to the immune system 300 man made chemicals commonly found in average human

Brominated flame retardants Example of unregulated chemical class now a major focus of concern Produced in 1970s and used in polyurethane foams, carpets, sofas, electronic products, paints Affects neurological, endocrine system, bioaccumulates and levels increasing fast:   wildlife/humans globally contaminated body burdens doubling every two to five years in North American population Similar in structure to PCBs (history repeating)

History repeating itself PCBs banned in 1976 Found to cause immune suppression, altered sexual development, cancer, delayed brain development, lower IQ and behavioral problems like hyperactivity in humans

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers similar in structure to PCBs

Slide 11

Sweden’s breastmilk monitoring leads to PBDE phase out 1997/98

PBDEs target of phase out in EU All PBDEs banned in new electronic equipment as of 2006 Penta and Octa banned in EU 2004 Deca under risk assessment Other Brominated flame retardants (TBBPA and HBCD) not banned These chemicals not as well studied

US/Canada levels highest in the world --still no regulation

Time Trends of BDEs in Canadian Breast Milk (Ryan and Patry, 2002)

Total BDEs in contemporary human milks (ng/kg lipid) (Ryan and Patry, 2002)

Developing fetus most at risk

Chemical exposure can harm fetal and infant health Children likely to receive higher doses (relative to body weight) Human brain grows most rapidly from third trimester of fetal development through the second year of life when specialized nervous system tissue develops under the influence of thyroid hormone BFRs disrupt thyroid system

PBDEs are endocrine disruptors PBDEs can activate liver enzymes that lower thyroid hormone levels PBDE metabolites ‘mimic’ thyroid hormones and attach to thyroid binding protein Result: depressed thryoid hormone levels and physical changes in thyroid gland Growing Threats report at www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org

Sum of 6 PBDE Congeners in Maternal and Fetal Bloods (Mazdai et al., EHP, 2003)

"Chemicals" Chemicals now global contaminants. Found in wildlife in polar and deep ocean systems

We are not acting fast enough

The solution An integrated and comprehensive new chemical policy

Why insufficient data on chemicals? Prior to 1981 ‘existing’ chemicals could be produced and marketed with no health or environmental data Result that 99% by volume of chemicals on the market and found in common products are unknown and unregulated

"Few producers have safe chemical..." Few producers have safe chemical guidelines Unregulated and unknown chemicals commonly used in everyday products ‘chemicals out of control’ now theme of ngo campaigns

Greenpeace conducting dust campaign and product testing to raise public awareness and build political support for REACH www.greenpeace.org.uk

Analysis reveals hazardous chemicals leaking from every day products into household dust See CHEMICAL HOUSE at www.greenpeace.org.uk

European Commisson introduces new chemical policy REACH Registration Evaluation Authorization of chemicals      (Introduced White Paper in 2001)  Acknowledment that 99% of high volume existing chemicals have insufficient data on environmental and health impacts

NGOs also conduct body burden testing  www.wwf.org.uk

Friends of the Earth survey retailers and politicians www.foe.org.uk

Our current chemical policy cannot react fast enough 30,000 untested chemicals produced in quantities of one tonne or more/year of 141 existing chemicals examined in nine years only one third have undergone risk assessment and fewer than 5 have been regulated Burden of proof on governments to show problem; not on producers to show safety

99% of existing high volume chemicals lack data

Slide 33

REACH:  Building a new legislative framework… www.chemsec.org

REACH Registration:  companies (not governments)  must provide data on products including toxicity and information about how humans or environment might be exposed to them Evaluation required for chemicals produced in large amounts or especially toxic – originally applied to chemicals over one tonne production (30,000 chemicals)

REACH Authorization needed if chemical is found to be a carcinogen, mutagen or reproductive toxin if found to be very persistent and very bioaccumulative and potential for endocrine disruption (affects hormonal system in humans and animals) Assume to affect 1400 chemicals

Authorization implications Chemical effectively banned unless: producer can show Socio-economic need Adequate control of all risks Substitution alternatives have been examined All information around authorization will be accessible to public

Downstream users of chemicals Will have more data on chemicals they use in products:  better knowledge along supply chain May have to find substitutes if chemicals they use are on the authorization list Benefits:  more consumer confidence

REACH is revolutionary Reverses burden of proof Covers existing chemicals as well as new If no data provided, then no market allowed Encourages substitution principle and innovation into new chemicals Could see phase out of many chemicals pending authorization procedure

Costs and Benefits of REACH EU COST estimates  18 - 32 billion euros by 2020 which is equivalent to 0.1% of total chemical sales BENEFITS:  18 - 32 billion euros savings by reducing number of cases of cancer among employees in the chemicals industry Does not take into account other public health/wildlife benefits

The battle begins…. REACH will have global implications so final wording of legislation is of paramount importance

REACH opponents Chemical producers (BASF, BAYER, CEFIC, etc Germany, Spain, Italy, France, UK (who presently support chemical industry stance) US government and American Chemistry Council actively lobbying against REACH

REACH supporters: Sweden and possibly NL, Denmark, Austria Some ‘downstream chemicals users’ NGOs in Europe and the USA Some unions (occupational health benefits from more access to information on chemicals)

Draft REACH published October 2003, now lobbying really begins!

Many parties seek to influence the process…

Ireland has EU presidency Jan-June 2004 Ireland not setting REACH as priority General move to put Competitive Council in charge of REACH rather than Environment Council REACH could be weakened further Need to replace focus on 30,000 chemicals Need to push for stronger substitution/access to information

Get active www.chemicalreaction.org  provides links to European political lobbying This is the veritable once in a lifetime opportunity Bev@cleanproduction.org                                          Feb 14, 2004