Archived press release

Health Alliance Fights Toxic Chemicals

12 October 1998

A public health alliance of health groups, unions and environmental groups has been formed to fight the danger of toxic chemicals. Friends of the Earth, Unison, the Association for Public Health and others have produced a joint statement calling on Government to phase out persistent and bio-accumulative chemicals. The statement also demands proper safety testing for tens of thousands of chemicals already in use.

The Government produced a draft chemicals strategy in July this year. The draft was described by environmentalists as "grossly inadequate". Today the Government is consulting at a meeting in Manchester with representatives of the chemicals industry,environmentalists and others.

Campaigners are drawing attention to the dramatic increase in chemical-related illnesses,such as testicular cancer. They aim to press the Government to strengthen its draft chemicals strategy and put public health before the vested interests of the chemicals industry.

Recent concerns about chemicals in every-day use include:

. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), used in plastics, carpets and computers, are known to be persistent and known to accumulate in body fat. Some BFRs are known to behave like PCBs, and one has been shown to disrupt the hormone system. This chemical has been found in the blood of office workers.
. Bisphenol-a, a known hormone disrupting chemical is used in the lining of tin cans.
. Parabens, used in cosmetic products, is known to cross the skin and enter the body.It has recently been identified as a chemical that mimics oestrogen.

Mike Childs, Senior Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

"People are being bombarded with chemicals that have not been adequately tested. The Government must have a policy that puts public health first and resists the vested interests of the chemical industry. The current approach by the Government will do little to stem the rise in illnesses such as testicular cancer and breast cancer. Ministers must instead adopt a precautionary approach to chemicals and public health by banning chemicals that build up in the environment."

ENDS

For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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Archived press release

Health Alliance Fights Toxic Chemicals

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