Research shows that dust collected from homes across Europe contains substantial amounts of hazardous chemicals, some of them linked to cancer. The Greenpeace report ’Consuming Chemicals’ reveals that homes are contaminated by "hidden" toxic chemicals contained in everyday household consumer products including textiles, televisions, cosmetics and toys.
At a press conference in Brussels the European Public Health Alliance and the European Consumers Organisation (BEUC) joined Greenpeace in demanding new legislation that will protect citizens from hazardous chemicals. EPHA General Secretary Tamsin Rose spoke to highlight the negative health impact of the 5 families of chemicals identified, including endocrine disruptors and carcinogens.
With a review of EU chemical policy currently underway they urged the European Commission not to miss this opportunity but to propose tough measures to substitute hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives.
Please find below a joint EPHA - Greenpeace press release on the topic.
The report is timed to coincide with the opening of a public consultation on the first revision of the EU Chemicals Directives in 30 years. DG Environment will publish the draft legislation for comments for 5 weeks beginning in early May 2004.
On Greenpeace website you can find a copy of the report, background data and advocacy options such as sending an email to Commission President Prodi .
