The scan program on toxic chemicals revealed that Europe’s population faces widespread exposure. Alarming levels of these compounds have been found, with children particularly affected. The substance mix in everyday products lacks sufficient safety guarantees for health, and exposure is seen across many consumer items.
The European Initiative for Human Biological Monitoring (HBM4EU) is a five-year collaboration involving 116 government bodies, laboratories, and universities. Its research detected the 18 most problematic chemical groups in urine and blood samples from more than 13,000 people across 28 European countries.
The risk is not minor; the findings show that a large portion of the population, especially children, is exposed to hazardous chemicals at high levels, according to the program’s coordinator.
“Weak EU laws”
The core issue is perceived as weak EU regulations that allow dangerous, uncontrolled chemical use, a concern cited by BEV and CHEM Trust, two organizations participating in the program.
The groups are calling for tighter restrictions on chemical products and greater agency oversight.
Although scientists have pressed for stronger rules, Brussels is considering a plan to loosen commitments to ban the most harmful chemicals in consumer products, according to a draft impact assessment accessed by the European Institutional Observatory (EIO).
More than two years ago, European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans promised a general rule banning the most harmful substances in consumer products.
Brussels plans to ease the ban on the most dangerous chemicals
The European Environment Office (EEB), a network of about 150 environmental groups, cautions that the Commission may not fully implement its original plans. Instead of a blanket ban, the proposal would limit bans to a portion of products, potentially leaving public exposure to highly hazardous chemicals in place, according to EEB statements.
Critics warn that these softened targets won’t prevent serious health damage, including cancer, infertility, obesity, asthma, and neurological conditions.
The Chemicals for Sustainability Strategy outlines an aim to ban the most harmful compounds in all consumer products, with a review of EU Chemical Safety Law, REACH. The EEB notes the review was promised by the end of 2022, but the timetable slipped after industry pressure.
European institutions are set to discuss fluorinated gases in heat pumps and air conditioners on a forthcoming date; such regulation could curb widespread contamination from leaks or maintenance lapses.
PFAS is a broad group of chemicals widely discussed in environmental circles.
Tatiana Santos, head of BEV’s Chemicals division, stated that the EU’s difficulty in controlling harmful chemicals is reflected in the contaminated blood and urine of many Europeans. She noted that even if the Commission intends to restrict the most hazardous substances, the healthcare savings could still be outweighed by industry costs, and a significant portion of products would still contain these chemicals.
“The short-term interests of a lobby”
Each day of delay adds to pain, illness, and even premature death. Withholding EU legislation could threaten the Green Deal, erode faith in the European Project, and hinder progress on detoxifying products. The call remains to prioritize people over short-term economic interests.
Stefan Scheuer of CHEM Trust argued that ongoing regulatory disregard by chemical companies risks public health, as firms shift from one harmful chemical to another. He reminded that the European Commission pledged to strengthen rules a thousand days ago and urged urgent, stricter measures.
Europe is moving toward a new regulatory framework, with ongoing discussions about tightening controls on chemicals in consumer goods.
Hogar sin Tóxicos, a Spanish partner to BEV, highlights shortcomings in the current REACH Chemical Safety Law, including its slow pace and the fact that many synthetic substances circulating in the EU lack adequate regulation.
Experts also criticize the regulatory approach for underestimating risks by ignoring cumulative exposure, or the cocktail effect. They point out that regulations often assess single substances in isolation, not the real-world mix people face daily, according to Carlos de Prada, director of Hogar sin Tóxicos.
Plasticizers detected in urine across all children and teens studied
Experts note that chemicals appearing harmless alone can have amplified effects when used together. The critique also targets the policy of allowing many substances based largely on manufacturer-provided toxicity data, which may be incomplete. When a substance is restricted or banned, substitutions within the same family may carry similar risks.
Some results:
- Plasticizers: High exposure was found among the population, despite regulation. Urine samples from all children and adolescents showed the presence of plasticizers, which have been linked to reproductive harm. Although average exposure to regulated plasticizers declined, overall exposure remains concerning for 17% of youths across 12 countries, with newer substitutes replacing older ones.
- PFAS (eternal chemicals): Perfluorinated substances appeared in the blood of all tested youths. A portion faced concentrations associated with adverse health effects, and many of the detected PFASs are already banned yet persist. The data support calls to ban all PFASs together, given the similar harms of substitutes.
- Mixtures: The study also examined combinations of various chemicals. The biomonitoring revealed multiple industrial chemicals in participants, and researchers aim to understand the health effects of this chemical cocktail. The combined exposure may yield effects greater than the sum of individual risks.
Reference article: EEB overview of European citizens’ alarmingly high chemical exposure (citation withheld for display here).
Additional notes discuss ongoing efforts to address gaps and improve oversight within EU chemical safety regulations.