Tuesday 30 March 2004

The report, Still Dirty, is released as the UK government launches its public consultation on the proposed European Chemicals Regulation (REACH). The government must ensure this is not a one-sided consultation and use this unique opportunity to take a clear lead on the phase out of hazardous chemicals.

WWF's report analyses proactive measures that some European countries, particularly in Scandinavia, have taken to help protect their citizens and wildlife through the introduction of national bans on products, eco-labelling schemes and supporting the development of safer alternatives. The report also highlights just how little the UK, with its huge chemical industry, has done to help protect its citizens and environment by reducing our exposure to hazardous chemicals.

"Despite the clear evidence of widespread chemical contamination in people and wildlife, the government has taken very little action to make chemicals used in everyday products safer," said Justin Woolford, WWF Chemicals and Health Campaign Leader. "Exposure to man-made chemicals in items such as computers, plastic toys, food packaging, furniture, and cleaning products, may be a key factor in increasing rates of cancer, declining fertility and other health problems affecting western societies."

Alarmingly, studies of everyday goods show that we remain highly exposed to hazardous chemicals, for example, UK butter contains the highest levels of highly persistent flame retardants (brominated diphenyl ethers) in the world. These chemicals have some effects on thyroid hormones and so there are worries about their possible effects on brain development.

These same chemicals are increasingly found as contaminants in our bodies, indeed a recent WWF blood survey found widespread human contamination with a cocktail of toxic man-made chemicals. Meanwhile, the UK government stands aside and fails to follow the lead of other countries in Europe to take immediate action to limit our exposure to these chemicals.

Currently, the UK government puts an emphasis on seeking voluntary agreements to control known hazardous chemicals despite evidence showing these are rarely successful in preventing the contamination of people and wildlife.

This report shows a lack of action and the forthcoming European Chemicals Regulation (REACH) provides the government with a unique opportunity to put things right. WWF urges the UK government to:

• prioritise the needs of public health, wildlife and the environment;


• recognise the business, health and environmental benefits of safer chemicals; and


• support an EU Chemicals Regulation which requires the replacement of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives.

"By incorporating the mandatory substitution of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives, REACH will not only protect our health and the environment but it could provide an improved framework for innovation in the chemicals sector and contribute to the development of safer chemicals. It could also strengthen the competitiveness of the chemicals industry and provide new markets for safer and more environmentally friendly products," Justin Woolford added.

In addition, the UK must redraw its own chemicals strategy with a focus on tougher action. Over 60 leading independent UK and European scientists have signed a declaration calling for measures to reduce exposure to both very persistent and very bioaccumulative chemicals, and endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals. WWF is also calling for action on the basis of one of the key recommendations made by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

WWF is concerned that the government's REACH consultation will effectively allow the chemical industry's vested interests to drown out those of the public.

Another organisation concerned with chemical contamination is Marks and Spencer. Mike Barry, Sustainable Development Manager at Marks & Spencer, said: "The development of REACH has been difficult, in the main because policy makers and legislators are having to learn to talk to a much wider range of stakeholders than they have in the past. Over the last 12 months the UK government has become the leading Member State in stakeholder dialogue on REACH but like all of us it needs to recognise that we have barely scratched the surface of proper engagement with all those who have an interest in how chemicals are managed in the future."