Chemical Health Risk To Children

Date published: 31/05/2005

Rochdale MEP Chris Davies has announced that there is an urgent need for a new EU wide law, to ensure that chemicals pose no threat to human health and the environment, and this has been given fresh impetus by a new study into risks to children.

A new US study shows that chemicals in a host of everyday products are causing genital abnormalities in baby boys.

The chemicals, called phthalates, can be found in thousands of products from toys, paints, inks and vinyl flooring as well as hairsprays, deodorants,nail polish and perfumes.

Chris Davies, is the Liberal Democrat's key negotiator on new chemicals legislation known as Reach (Regulation Authorisation and Evaluation of Chemicals), which will put every chemical under the spotlight.

More than 30,000 chemicals in use across Europe will be evaluated over the next 12 years if agreement is reached to implement the law.

Mr Davies said:  "Chemicals are essential for our way of life but of course can present dangers.  It is simply incredible that we have more than 30,000 chemicals in daily use and yet no assessment has been made of their long term effect."

Both the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers will be voting on the issue later this year.

The plans were initially resisted fiercely by the chemicals industry that claimed increased costs would cut jobs and economic competitiveness. However, latest studies suggest that the costs will be marginal for most companies and will allow the EU chemicals industry to set standards for the rest of the world.