chemicals
The European Commission will ensure that “key technologies” are exempt from an incoming EU ban on the use of toxic PFAS substances, but cannot guarantee what industry sectors might benefit, president Ursula von der Leyen has told a group of MEPs. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been dubbed ‘forever chemicals’ as they do not break down in the environment, spread widely, and accumulate in living organisms. The European Chemicals Agency is assessing a proposal from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden for a blanket ban, having closed a public consultation in Septem...
Euronews (English)
“It’s not because it’s illegal that you shouldn’t do it. If we don’t act, who will?”, *Miel tells Euronews Green. It’s an unusual Saturday morning for the 19-year-old member of Extinction Rebellion: she is about to break the law. Today’s target is the French chemical giant Arkema based near Lyon. The company is accused of releasing toxic chemicals into the environment, PFAS (Per-and polyfluoroalkyl compounds), dubbed “forever chemicals” for their indestructible nature. 400 activists from Extinction Rebellion and Youth for Climate have travelled from across France to protest against their manuf...
Euronews (English)
European Commission guidance on what constitutes the ‘essential use’ of dangerous substances divided opinion this week as policy makers and industry representatives gathered in Brussels to discuss future chemicals policy. Green groups issued a warning that the EU executive is failing to meet commitments to tackle pollution and health risks, pointing particularly to a shelved revision of the flagship REACH regulation. “Better protection for human health, tackling pollution, and moving towards a toxic-free environment is our priority for the long run,” Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevi...
Euronews (English)
Germany's chemicals and pharmaceuticals sector kicked off the new pay and conditions round with talks in Frankenthal for the Rhineland-Palatinate region on Monday. The Rhineland-Palatinate round forms the start of negotiations across nine regions in Germany, with the IG BCE putting forward a demand for a 7% increase for around 68,500 workers in the region. The first round of talks at federal level is set for Thuringia on May 14 and 15. A total of 585,000 workers are employed in the sector in Germany. Chief negotiator for the employers in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hendrik Müller, said on Monday: "T...
DPA Breaking News
The USA has placed the first ever federal limits on toxic 'forever chemicals' in drinking water. The rule, finalised by the Biden administration on Wednesday 10 April, requires utilities to reduce the chemicals to the lowest level they can be reliably measured. Officials say this will reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent thousands of illnesses, including cancers. It is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are widespread and long lasting in the environment. Health advocates praised the Environmental Pro...
Euronews (English)
Products containing PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ could soon face tight restrictions in France. The first draft of a bill banning certain products containing the harmful chemicals was approved unanimously by the National Assembly on Thursday. It particularly targets the manufacture, import and sale of cosmetics, clothing and ski wax containing PFAS. French politician and environmentalist Nicolas Thierry, who introduced the bill, hailed the decision a “huge victory in the recognition of the health scandal of the century,” adding, “This vote is historic.” However, some products - including Tefal p...
Euronews (English)
Los Angeles (AFP) - A US jury on Monday ordered chemical company Monsanto to pay $857 million to seven people at a school in the western state of Washington who said they were sickened by chemicals leaking from light fittings. The ruling is the latest legal setback for Monsanto, which is already grappling with hefty legal bills after losing court cases over its glyphosate-based weedkiller Roundup. The jury said the company, owned by German pharmaceutical giant Bayer, had sold the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in the fittings that the group of students and parent volunteers at Sky Vall...
AFP
Los Angeles (AFP) - A US jury on Monday ordered chemical company Monsanto to pay $857 million to seven people at a school in the western state of Washington who said they were sickened by chemicals leaking from light fittings. The ruling is the latest legal setback for Monsanto, which is already grappling with hefty legal bills after losing court cases over its glyphosate-based weedkiller Roundup. The jury said the company, owned by German pharmaceutical giant Bayer, had sold the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in the fittings that the group of students and parent volunteers at Sky Vall...
AFP
Washington (AFP) - At least 45 percent of the United States' tap water is contaminated with toxic "forever" chemicals, according to a study by a government agency. Found in everyday products such as non-stick frying pans, polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can linger in the environment for a long time and have been linked to serious health conditions including cancer and birth defects. The chemicals can reach water supplies through industrial discharges and leaching from landfill sites. "This USGS study was the first to compare PFAS in tap water from both private and public supplies on a broad ...
AFP
New York (AFP) - US industrial giant 3M announced Tuesday it will phase out production of so-called "forever chemical" PFAS in light of tightening regulation connected to harmful health effects from their use. 3M will exit polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) manufacturing by the end of 2025 and discontinue use across its product portfolio under the same timeframe, moves that are expected to result in pre-tax costs of $1.3 to $2.3 billion. Known for the lengthy amount of time required before they break down and widely employed in Teflon and other goods, PFAS are man-made chemicals produced since ...
AFP
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