Toxic And Used For Textile Finishing Treatments And As Surfactants

Chemicals Beyond Control and the Need for REACH

Y. Vicaire

Toxics campaignerIstanbul - February 5th, 2005

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Chemicals in the EU

• World’s largest chemical producer

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Chemicals in the EU

• Current legislation: ‘existing’ v. ‘new’ substances

• 100,000 existing chemicals

• 5,000 classified as hazardous: 140(!) classified as priority substances

• >1,000 new chemicals/year

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EU Chemicals Regulations

• Large data gaps

• Continued use of dangerous chemicals

• Inadequate risk assessments

• Penalises innovation

Chemicals in the European Environment: Low Doses, High Stakes?, EEA 1998.

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Chemicals & Toxicity Data

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Availability of data on 2472 high-production volume chemicals submitted to the European Chemicals Bureau

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Acute terrestrial toxicity

Carcinogenicity

Chronic aquatic toxicity

Fertility

Acute algal toxicity

Biodegradation

Teratogenicity

Acute inhalation toxicity

In vivo genotoxicity

Acute fish/crustaceous toxicity

Physical chemical properties

Acute dermal toxicity

Chronic toxicityGenotoxicity/mutagenicity

Acute oral toxicity

Data availability (%)

Pro

per

ties

an

d T

oxic

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Health & Environmental Fate

• ‘The immediate concern is… that man and the environment are potentially exposed to a large number of chemical substances for which the hazardous properties have not been identified and/or risks have not been assessed.’ SEC(1998)

• ‘The widespread presence of small amounts of many chemicals… is causing increasing concern, because ... they may contribute to cancer, allergies, impacts on reproduction and the immune response system, and neurotoxic effects’. EEA

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• Sources of pollution:– Smokestacks and

discharge pipes

– Wastes

– Consumer products• Nonyphenol in

pyjamas, Phthalates in PVC plastics, perfumes, shampoos

• Unconscious exposure to hundreds of synthetic chemicals every day– Known to be capable

of causing long-term diseases

– through direct absorption or food

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• Widespread presence of persistent toxic chemicals in Environment and food chain

• Decline in wildlife populations

• Increasing incidence of diseases

• Low doses of hazardous chemicals linked with broad range of health effects

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The concentration of a type of brominated flame retardants in breastmilk of Swedish women doubles every five years

Chemical Legacy: Contamination of the Child, Greenpeace, 2003.

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Health Effects in Children


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Health Effects in ChildrenChemical Found in Human evidence Likely effects

on child health

Bisphenol A Umbilical cords,placental tissue,breast milk, adultovaries and blood

Linked topolycystic ovarysyndrome, femalefertility problems

Developmental,repro & immunedisorders

Phthalates Child and adultblood & urine

Linked topremature breastdevelopment &endometriosis

Developmental,repro & immunedisorders,cancers

Artificialmusks

Breast milk, adultblood & fat

Linked to hormonal& gynaecologicalproblems in women

Developmental& reproductivedisorders,cancers


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• « Cancer is the third most common cause of death among children between 1–19 years (Anderson, 2001). The incidence of child-hood cancer in the USA increased by 26% between 1975–1999. The biggest rise was estimated for brain and other nervous system cancers (50% increase) and acute lympho-cyctic leukaemia (62% increase). Only 5–10% of cancers have been linked to genetic factors, the rest are influenced by a broad range of environmental factors. »


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• 10.000-20.000 children born each year in the Netherlands (16 mio pop.) with retardation caused by background levels of man-made chemicals*

– This means a doubling of retarded children in 10 years, and a halving of gifted children

– But also damage to their neurological, hormonal and immune systems:

– increased numbers of children with birth-defects, infertility, attention deficit syndrome...

•*Study by Medical universities of Groningen, Rotterdam, Amsterdam on health effects of Dioxins and PCBs following from pre-birth till 12 years. Funding for continuation was stopped.

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UNESCO 7 May 2004The PARIS Appeal

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We, Scientists, Medical Doctors, Jurists, Ethicists and Citizens, convinced of the urgency and seriousness of the present situation, solemnly declare that :

Article 1

The development of numerous current diseases is a result of the deterioration of the environment.

Article 2

Chemical pollution represents a serious threat to children and to Man's survival.

Article 3

As our own health, that of our children and future generations, is under threat,

the Human race itself is in serious danger.

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• #1 : ban CMRs 1 & 2 wherever possible• #2 : implement precaution principle for PBTs and

vPvB• #3 : toxicological standards set re children’s health• #4 : pesticide use reduction• #5 : liability regime• #7 : reinforce REACH with substitution and

promote it outside EU

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WHO Budapest, Hungary, 23–25 June 2004

Fourth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health : A FUTURE

FOR OUR CHILDREN"11a. We note that large quantities of chemicals are currently produced

and marketed, with largely unknown effects on human health and the environment. They constitute a potential risk for the working

population as well as for the general public. Decisive action should be taken without undue delay to overcome the gaps in knowledge about the effects of chemicals on human health and to achieve sustainable development in the chemical industry. The European Union’s new chemicals policy (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of

Chemicals – REACH) will be of vital importance to all users of such chemicals, as REACH aims to provide the information necessary for

taking adequate risk management actions aimed at preventingfuture threats to human health and the environment. We also call upon

industry to enhance the collection of relevant information for risk assessment of large-tonnage substances.”

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REACH in a Nutshell

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REACH in a Nutshell

• Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals

• Systematic approach to deal with chemicals– Manufacturers/importers should register

chemicals– Member States should evaluate them– Commission should authorise the use of

substances of ‘very high concern’

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REACH Background

• April 98: review EU chemicals policy

• Feb 01: REACH White Paper

• June 01: Council discusses White Paper

• Nov 01: EP resolution on White Paper

• May 03: COM draft proposal on REACH

• Oct 03: COM final proposal on REACH

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REACH Calendar

• European Parliament– Spring ‘05: Committee

meetings

– Autumn ‘05: 1st plenary vote

– Spring ‘06: 2nd plenary vote

• Council of Ministers– ‘04 - ‘05: Political

agreements on different REACH Titles

– Autumn ‘05: Common position

Autumn ‘06: EP/Council Conciliation process

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REACH Main Features

• Reverse burden of proof

• Extend responsibility for testing and management along the entire manufacturing chain

• Minimize animal testing

• Create a knowledge base for chemicals

• Target the most hazardous chemicals

• Drive innovation

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Registration

The registration is the basis for the REACH system. Producers and importers of chemicals will have to provide test data and register all substances where use exceeds 1 tonne a year per producer/importer to a central database managed by a new central agency at European level.

The information requirements will be proportional to production volumes and partly to the risks that the substance poses.

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Evaluation

National competent authorities will evaluate registration data, in particular for chemicals used in large quantities, and for example ask for data gaps to be filled. There are two types of evaluation: dossier and substance evaluation.

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AuthorizationChemicals of very high concern will be

subject to authorization. An authorization applies to particular uses. Industry must show that a substance is or that its socio-economic value outweighs the risks before the substance is allowed to be used.

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AuthorizationSubstances of very high concern (SVHC) will be included in and

subject to authorization. SVHC are defined based on their intrinsic properties and include:

CMR I + II Substances that can cause cancer, can alter genes or are toxic to the reproductive system

PBTSubstances that do not break down quickly in nature (persistent) and can build up inside our bodies (bio-accumulative) and are toxic

vPvBSubstances that are very persistent and bio-accumulative

Or substances of equivalent concern e.g. EDC – substances that disturb our hormone system

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RestrictionSubstances causing unacceptable risks to

human health or the environment may be restricted on an EU-wide basis through an alternative route. Restrictions are the safety net of the system.Restrictions can take the form of risk management, bans on certain uses, bans on use by consumers or a complete ban on a substance.

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Assumptions of ‘Adequate Control’ thinking

• ‘Acceptable’ levels of exposure to harmful chemicals, determined by regulators using risk assessment (current EU law)

• Exposure can be controlled through dilution/dispersion, but what about persistent bioaccumulative chemicals?

• Exposure from consumer products supposed to be negligible

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Substitution Principle

“The substitution of hazardous substances by less hazardous or preferably non-hazardous substances of technologies where such alternatives are available.”

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Proposed decision-making process for authorization

Chemical of very high concern (identified by registration process) Yes Yes No No No Yes No Yes No Yes Time limited authorisation granted (with risk management conditions)

Socio-economic analysis

Risk Assessment

Restrict use. Tighten control measures

Hazard assessment

Is the substance adequately cntrolled?

Authorisation refused

Is there a safer alternative?



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Mandatory Substitution Benefits

certainty over chemicals

• To boost ‘green chemistry’

public confidence in the chemicals industry

industry liability workers health and

safety human body burdens

+ env levels of chemicals

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Substitution in existing international agreements (1)

OSPAR: 15 states of North East Atlantic Region + EU:

- Agreed ‘List of Chemicals for Priority Action’ (15 chemicals) to be dealt with by “the drawing up of programs and measures by 2003 for the control of discharges, emissions and losses of substances on [the Priority] list, and their substitution with less hazardous or non-hazardous substances where feasible”

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Substitution in existing international agreements (2)

• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

• Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on measures to improve safety and health of workers

• Directive 2000/53/EC of 18 Sept 2000 on end-of-life vehicles

• Directive 2002/95/EC of 27 Jan 2003 on restriction of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment

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Examples of Substitution

• Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in electronics e.g. Samsung, Nokia, replaced with non-halogenated (phosphorus-based) or non-chemical alternatives e.g. metal housing instead of plastic

• BFRs in upholstery, furnishings e.g. IKEA, replaced with organic phosphorus

• PVC in plastisol-printed garments and artificial leather e.g. H&M, Marks & Spencer, replaced with other plastics

• PVC in toys e.g. Lego, Mattel, replaced with other plastics

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A case study : PVC in garmentsPVC used in plastisol-prints for children garments :

- current legislation : no problem with PVC and chemical content if levels of certain chemicals remain under legal threshold (whenever they exist)

- analytical findings : phthalates, alkylphenols, organotins, lead, cadmium, formaldehyde

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A case study : PVC in garments Alkylphenols – toxic and used for textile finishing treatments and as

surfactants. Phthalates – toxic and widely used for plastisizing (softening) PVC. PVC-

prints are one of the uses of phthalate-plasticised PVC that could clearly lead to long periods of direct skin contact in children, plus the potential for inhalation and even ingestion of additional quantities

Organotins – toxic and used as stabilizers in PVC. Textiles containing polymer parts, like T-shirts with prints, can contain organotin compounds such as butyl- and octyltin compounds.

Lead – toxic and used in colors and as a stabilizer in PVC. Cadmium – toxic and used as pigment and as a stabilizer. Formaldehyde – toxic and used for pre-shrinkage treatment and fixation of

dyes & pigments. Due to its volatility, formaldehyde can be transferred readily from treated to previously untreated garments.

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A case study : PVC in garments

All these chemicals will be submitted :– Registration : priority as High Production Volume Chemicals (>100t) or as known

PBT/CMR. Yet, PVC as a polymer will remain exempted.

– Evaluation : will lead to complementary findings (endocrine disrupting effects)

– Authorisation : as Chemicals of Very High Concern (PBT/CMR)• Authorisation will most probably be refused as alternatives are available (PVC-free prints,

alternative chemicals, can do without)

• In regard with use : pyjamas (sleep with it and sweat in it, likely to lead to exposure) and children (vulnerable population)

– Restriction : many of these chemicals already submitted to restrictions (phthalates in children’s toys, heavy metals)

Manufacturers, brands and retailers will look forward substitution within the next 3 years after REACH adoption --> 2010 ?

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Other REACH-related textile chemicals ?

...

EDTA

Brominated Flame Retardants

Antimony Trioxide

Teflon (PFOS chemicals)

ABCs chemicals (antibacterial chemicals such as triclosan)

...

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Right to Know• An open and transparent chemicals regulatory system is

essential to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment.

• Provision of access to information can occur through a range of methods, including:– Labelling– A right to know if you ask– Information on the internet

• BUT… Information is not a substitute for regulation

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Right to Know

• To ensure that the regulatory system can be trusted by all stakeholders

• To give downstream users, retailers, workers and the public the ability to make informed decisions on the substances they are exposed to or sell.

• To provide a market driver for safer chemicals.

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Chemical Home: Key campaign tool

• To raise concern on harmful chemicals in consumer products

• To encourage companies to commit to substitution using public leverage

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Toxins in your TV? Poisons in your PC?

Many popular brands of electronic products contain toxic chemicals. Small amounts of these chemicals cause widespread pollution.

Fill in the make of your electronic product here and send a form letter to its manufacturer. Tick one or more boxes and optionally add the model so the

company knows it is getting messages from its own consumers.

Your pressure will help push these companies to follow the good example of companies like Samsung, Nokia, Sony, and Philips who have promised to remove

toxic chemicals from their products in the future.

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More information

• http://eu.greenpeace.org

• www.chemicalreaction.org

• www.chemsec.org

• www.panda.org/campaign/detox

• www.vigitox.org

Health & Medicine

Toxic And Used For Textile Finishing Treatments And As Surfactants