Development & Aid, Environment, Europe, Headlines, Health

HEALTH: Environmental Danger Is In Our Blood

Sanjay Suri

LONDON, Jun 24 2004 (IPS) - Forget just for a moment the many dangers to the environment from pollutants; many of them are now in our blood, according to tests carried out by WWF.

When British environment minister Alun Michael gave a blood sample to be tested for 101 industrial chemicals at the European Union (EU) ministers conference on environment and health under way in Budapest, Hungary, at least some of the dangers it would show are known.

"We find on average about 30 chemicals in everyone we have been testing," Matthew Wilkinson from WWF told IPS. "These are all hazardous and toxic chemicals, and can cause various diseases like cancer."

The message has not been getting across. Two years ago former British environment minister Michael Meacher gave a blood sample for testing. As with others, that sample showed traces of several harmful chemicals. The tests produced few results by way of action.

Environmentalists are not certain how far the blood tests from the new Michael will persuade governments and people of the dangers from chemicals.

But now is the time to look again at these dangers in view of new legislation the EU proposes to introduce, says Wilkinson. New draft legislation on dangers from chemicals is due to be placed before the European Parliament early next year. Consultation on what should go into this legislation is ongoing in several EU countries.

The draft proposal to establish a new mechanism for the control of chemicals called REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) was circulated in May last year.

Some of the key features are that manufacturers and importers will have to register all substances they want to place on the market for quantities above one tonne, and that the registration dossier must provide information on properties, hazards and intended uses of the substances.

For substances in volumes above 10 tonnes, a chemicals safety report of a risk assessment would be required. Polymers would be exempt from registration and evaluation.

Legislators are groping in largely unknown territory. "There are about 100,000 chemicals on the market, and about 99.9 percent of these are not regulated," Wilkinson said. "There is great lack of information on what they do, and the toxicity they may cause in the environment and in our own bodies."

Several environmentalists are concerned that the proposals are not enough, but the chemicals lobby is campaigning strongly on the other hand to reduce what has been proposed. "The UK government must stand firm against fierce lobbying by the chemicals industry to water down these regulations," WWF chemicals and health campaign leader Justin Woolford said in a statement.

The chemicals law was last reviewed in 1981 when new substances were added to the industrial chemicals listed up to 1981. The new legislation will seek to overhaul both those lists and to supersede several different bits of legislation on chemicals.

"This could be a one in a generation chance to take corrective action," Wilkinson said.

A survey undertaken by WWF in six of the most populous EU countries indicates that four in five people are concerned about the buildup of chemicals in the bodies of people and wildlife. More than 6,000 people were interviewed in Germany, Britain, France, Spain, Poland and Italy.

The poll revealed also that most Europeans would be willing to pay a euro more per year for everyday household products if this is what it costs the chemicals industry to phase out the most harmful chemicals. The French (80 percent) seemed the most willing to pay more, and the Spanish (55 percent) the least, according to the survey.

While the effects of many chemicals are not known, the dangers from several have been identified in scientific studies. WWF has brought together several of these results.

These point to dangers from synthetic carpets, foams, rubber goods, latex and plastic coverings. Paints, varnishes and cleaning agents can present a particular risk, as do stain-repellants and Brominated flame repellants on upholstery.

The studies warn against the presence of Triclosan in toothpaste and mouthwash, and in several other cleansing agents. They also caution against use of tinned food, and use of cling film with high fat foods. The danger list also warns against the presence of electrical goods in the bedroom.