Archived press release

New Government Chemicals Strategy Won't Protect Babies

27 July 1998

Friends of the Earth today slammed the Government's draft chemicals strategy, launched today by Environment Minister Michael Meacher, for kowtowing to the chemical industry and failing to put public health first. The strategy is significantly weaker than an earlier draft seen by Friends of the Earth, which indicated that the Government were willing to take a more precautionary approach to protecting public health and the environment. Tens of thousands of chemicals in use today have not been tested for many effects, and many are suspected of harming human health (cancers, disruption of hormone system) [attached].Especially at risk are unborn babies, infants and young children.

“ For far too long people have been bombarded with chemicals that are not proven safe. This chemical industry bonanza must stop. The Government's job is to see that public health, environment and economic goals are all achieved rather than sacrificing people's right to a clean and healthy environment.Unfortunately, the strategy fails to do this. It looks as though it has been shot full of holes by the chemical industry's cheerleaders at the Department of Trade and Industry. ”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

[1]

. Over 100,000 chemicals have been catalogued in commercial use in Europe.
. The UK chemical industry has sales of £39 billion per year annually
. Even minimal toxicity data is not available for three-quarters of the
3,000 or so chemicals in large-scale use.
. The EU has begun a risk assessment programme of 10,000 chemicals - but
one strategy for risk limitation has been agreed.
. Comprehensive testing of a chemical can cost up to £10 million - so even if a programme was undertaken to fill in the "data gaps", the cost would be astronomical.

[2] The consultation document seeks views on:

. the use of voluntary agreements with industry [para. 3.11]
. stream-lined risk assessment procedures [3.10]
. reducing burdens on industry in some areas of testing [2.7]
. “self-assessment” of risk by chemicals manufacturers [3.16]
. the need for international legislation [2.12]
. better public information [6.7]
. stakeholder fora [6.5]
. more research [4.19]

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust