Greenpeace exposes hidden poisons in our homes


Last edited: 30-04-2003

Greenpeace today published a scientific investigation into toxic chemicals in house dust, revealing their widespread presence in homes across the UK. In November 2002, Greenpeace vacuumed 100 houses across the country to collect dust that was later sent to laboratories to be analysed for a range of harmful pollutants (1), chemicals for which health concerns are widely acknowledged.

The dangerous chemicals Greenpeace targeted for investigation were not those coming from traffic fumes or factory chimneys but unseen and often unlabelled chemical additives brought into our homes inside everyday consumer products like toys, televisions, carpets and toiletries.

The majority of chemicals that have been identified in house dust arise from the use of consumer goods used in the home. This is despite some manufacturers' claims that these chemicals are bound into products and present no risk. Humans can breathe in the dust and any chemicals it contains or ingest it from contaminated food or teething toys or even absorb it directly through our skin. Greenpeace chemicals campaigner Oliver Knowles said,

"This report exposes the fact that widespread chemical contamination is not just there in the 'outside world' but in our homes, our offices and everyday lives. People know that chemical pollution can find its way into their homes from busy roads or dirty factories but do not expect unseen poisons to be escaping into our bedrooms and living rooms from every day products like toys and televisions. From there they can contaminate our body tissue and the tissue of unborn children.

Greenpeace found substantial amounts of

• hormone disrupting akylphenols, used in cosmetics and other personal care products
• phthalate esters used mainly to soften PVC which are harmful to the reproductive system,
• brominated chemicals which disrupt hormones, used as fire retardants
• chlorinated paraffins which may be cancer-causing, used in paints, plastics and rubbers.

New laws currently being drafted by the EU present a rare opportunity to improve legislation on chemicals, which for years has failed to protect people and the environment from contamination. The current EU wide review of chemicals policy was initiated by the Commission in February 2001 in response to mounting concern about the effectiveness of existing legislation.

Greenpeace believes the action required is simple. The proposed new EU laws require that chemicals of the highest concern carry an 'authorisation' to allow only specific continued uses. Greenpeace supports this but believes this action is meaningless unless a second step is put in place - chemical producing companies must be placed under a legal obligation to substitute these chemicals of high concern wherever a safer alternative exists. Where an alternative does not exist and the chemical is deemed essential, an authorisation must only be granted for a limited time period to allow for safer alternative chemicals, material or products to be developed. Any such authorisations must be based on strong justification that the chemicals are really essential.

Oliver Knowles, said;

"The EU have recognised the major problem chemical pollution is causing but are shying away from solving it. Companies must be legally obliged to substitute dangerous chemicals for the safest available alternative. Only then can we take a real step towards ridding our environment, our homes and our lives of these lingering chemicals that threaten ourselves and our children with cancers and other health problems."

Further information
Journalists can obtain 'Consuming chemicals: Hazardous chemicals in house dust as an indicator of chemical exposure in the home' from the Greenpeace Press Office and from our briefings library.

For more information please contact Greenpeace Press Office on 020 7865 8255