08/03/2005 Scores of women
and their male colleagues, braved the very
cold weather in the centre of Berlin today
to form a massive ‘X’ - the symbol for toxic
chemicals - and call on the government to
support REACH and phase out dangerous chemicals.
In an important show of support, Environment
Minister Jürgen Trittin joined the action.
"There should be a stronger REACH and
the Ministry is working on this", he
confirmed.
In addition he explained that the German government
was supporting two of the organisers’ key
demands: More information on chemicals produced
in quantities between 1 – 10 tonnes and the
‘One substance, one registration’ proposal.
Women are particularly at risk
A coalition of women’s and environmental
organisations launched its appeal on International
Women’s Day to draw attention to the fact
that "Women are particularly at risk
from dangerous chemicals, through their work,
at home, in the family or when shopping",
as Sascha Gabizon, Director of Women in Europe
for a Common Future (WECF) explained.
"Most people just aren’t aware about
chemicals", said Sonja Haider, WECF spokeswoman.
"So we are raising awareness about what
people can do for their health and how they
can change their own behaviour as consumers".
International Women’s Day is particularly
significant in the fight to control hazardous
chemicals because of the way that women are
unwittingly being forced to pass on those
found in their bodies when they are pregnant
or through breast feeding.
Recent scientific research has shown that
some of the most harmful chemicals are entering
unborn children when they are in their mothers’
wombs, even though the women themselves do
not have detectable levels in their bodies.
These may then affect the children as they
grow up or as adults.
Protecting your children
"While chemicals are seen as a technical
issue, when it comes down to health, it’s
a personal issue", said Haider. "As
mothers we are concerned about the health
of our children. You try to do the best for
your baby but you are harming the baby without
realising it".
According to a recent series of blood tests
carried out on families in the UK, children
were found to have as many artificially produced
chemicals in their blood as their parents,
despite their relative youth. In fact, there
were cases where young children had higher
levels of chemicals than their parents or
grandparents.
The organisers point out that chemicals may
also interfere with conception as scientists
have found evidence that chemicals may be
to blame for increased infertility rates within
Europe.
Influencing political opinion
Another key aim of today’s action is to influence
public and government opinion around REACH.
As the organisers insist. "REACH provides
a unique chance to improve the protection
for people and the environment against dangerous
substances. Dangerous substances could be
phased out".
The chemical companies have to bear responsibility
for making sure the chemicals they produce
are safe, the organisers argue, "The
producers have to prove that their substances
are harmless before selling them on the market.
We have to implement the precautionary principle",
said Patricia Cameron from Bund für Umwelt
und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND).
As WECF spokeswoman explained, "Germany
originally supported a strong REACH and in
Germany itself there was quite a good standard
on regulating chemicals. Unfortunately Germany’s
original approach to REACH has been weakened
as a result of political and economic pressure.
Germany has the biggest chemical industry
in Europe, which has been very active in lobbying
for amendments to REACH".
"We need politicians who care for people’s
health," say the organisers. "The
presence of the Environment Minister is a
sign that politicians are listening to people’s
concerns".
The organisers' seven key demands
•Particularly dangerous chemicals should be
taken off the market
•Children and vulnerable groups should be
the basis for testing for chemical safety.
•Information on dangerous chemicals should
be clearly defined and available.
•Imported substances must be subject to the
same regulations as those produced within
the EU.
•There should be safety data on chemicals
produced in quantities between 1 – 10 tonnes
•Industrial data has to be under independent
quality control
•Chemical producers should share testing data
(the so-called ‘One Substance – One Registration
Proposal).
