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Last changed: 10/01/12
Octylphenol is the first chemical assessed by the EU whose endocrine disruptive and health-impairing effect have placed it on the REACH regulation Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern. Octylphenol is used to manufacture paints, adhesives, and tyres. Studies have shown that even in low concentrations, it impairs development and reproduction in fish. UBA had drawn up Germany’s proposal for inclusion on the Candidate List.
The report on the “Conference on Sustainable Chemistry”, hosted by UBA in October 2011 in Berlin, has been published. Experts from around the world discussed new developments and trends including good practices, tools and concepts as well as sustainable chemistry strategies in politics and business.
A single chemical may be contained in different products, may be used for several applications and may be placed on the market by multiple manufacturers and importers. Emissions from the single uses might add up in the environment and could then pose an unacceptable risk. In this report it was analysed to which extent such aggregated releases are considered during exposure assessment under REACH and suggestions for the implementation are provided.
Starting 1 June 2011 businesses must register substances of very high concern present in products with the European Chemicals Agency. Furthermore, they are advised to review whether their product range may contain substances with a view to eliminating the products with these properties from our daily lives. A sample letter provided by UBA can be used to find out from producers whether a given product contains such substances.
Chemicals which can damage the environment or health are periodically found in consumer products. UBA commissioned a study to determine which substances and regulations are relevant in toys, electrical and electronic equipment, and floor and wall coverings. Some substances are not as yet regulated at all, although products often contain pollutants in a lack of compliance with existing legislation.
According to BUND research the levels of plasticisers found in the dust in child day care centres are nearly three times higher than in dwellings. Some of the possible consequences are endocrine disruptions or infertility. Day care centres and parents should seek to purchase products that do not contain plasticised PVC. Merchants are obliged by European chemicals law to provide detailed information about the components in their products. UBA is providing a sample letter that consumers can address to their merchants.
The main route by which veterinary medicinal products reach the environment is land-spreading of manure. Further research is needed to clarify the behaviour of the products’ active substances in manure, where they are transported to from the soil surface and what effects they exert there. A study commissioned by UBA has therefore gathered information on manure properties and storage conditions. The ultimate goal is the development of realistic guidelines for assessing the environmental behaviour of veterinary medicinal products and biocides.
This chemical is the subject of frequent media reports and can be found in many everyday articles: cans, DVDs, thermal paper, food packaging and baby bottles. But just what kind of substance is it? And does it present risks for humans or the environment? A new paper by UBA provides answers to these questions.
Samples of such things as bird eggs or fish livers collected in environmental specimen banks help to monitor environmental pollution by problematic chemicals on a long-term basis. They are therefore a key factor in assessing the success of the EU REACH chemicals policy. Experts discussed just how the 16 European environmental specimen banks can help provide such as overview at a June 2010 conference held in Berlin. The conference report has now been published.
The way chemicals are produced and applied in the globalised world has long ceased to be a matter of national affairs. Since their damaging effects know no national borders these hazards can only be tackled at the global level. The best approach is an international strategy of more sustainable chemistry. UBA‘s new guide on sustainable chemistry explains how this could work in practice. The guide provides advice for optimising chemical products and processes for the sake of the environment.
Corrosive and irritant cleaning agents can cause serious damage to health. The orange “corrosive“ symbol is a clear indication of this. UBA’s advice is to do without such products and to choose those with the EU Flower ecolabel instead. The ingredients in products bearing this seal must meet strict environmental and health standards. In addition, producers must provide proof of their cleaning performance. More advice and information are available in the new UBA pamphlet on environmentally conscious cleaning.
The potential of chemicals to accumulate in organisms (bioaccumulation) is frequently assessed based on bioconcentration factor. These factors are measured in studies, additionally formulas for their calculation have been developed. A literature study commissioned by UBA focuses on the extent to which calculated factors can replace measured factors. It also discusses transferability between different isomers.
Chemical safety assessment under REACH requires an estimate of the emissions of hazardous substances to environment as well as an identification of risks associated with their use. ECHA guidelines may be applied in this assessment, but since these guidelines apply to a broad range of uses, some professional associations have derived specific emission factors for their respective industries. A report commissioned by UBA challenges some aspects of this derivation process and offers recommendations for improvement of documentation and communication.
To assess the potential environmental risks of veterinary medicinal products and biocides used in animal houses, their degradation behaviour in liquid manure must be tested. While OECD guidelines are available for such investigations in soil and water/sediment, there has been no such basis for liquid manure. Therefore, a technical protocol was developed for the performance of such tests.
On 20 January 2009 the European GHS Regulation No. 1272/2008 entered into force. The world’s first standardised system for the classification and labelling of chemicals is from now on also being applied throughout Europe. A visible change to the old system is represented by the modified pictograms, also in respect to their number.
What is REACH and what has got to do with me? How REACH works can be learned in the online course eREACH. This e-learning tool will enable companies to identify their role under REACH and the obligations it entails. The e-learning tool is available online through REACH information portal and on CD-ROM. The CD can be requested by e-mail: are- (please give your address for dispatch).