Research from Pesticide Action Network (PAN) shows that the UK is failing to phase out pesticides that have been found to be harmful to human health and the environment at the same rate as the EU. Thirteen of the 36 chemicals are considered highly hazardous pesticides under UN definitions used to identify the most harmful […]
The Guardian reported this week that the European Commission is poised to break a promise to outlaw all but the most essential of Europe’s hazardous chemicals. The pledge to “ban the most harmful chemicals in consumer products, allowing their use only where essential” was a flagship component of the European green deal when it was […]
One Water news reports that nearly half of U.S. drinking water supplies likely contain at least one form of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), according to a recently published study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Commonly known as “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment, PFAS comprise a class of thousands […]
New analysis of official Environment Agency data has revealed the worrying scale of chemical cocktail pollution in rivers and other freshwater sites across England. The research, which looked at the prevalence of 5 chemical cocktails known to have toxic impacts for wildlife, also highlights the lack of official monitoring for known harmful chemical cocktails, as […]
The Dutch State will hold chemical concern 3M liable for damage caused by PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” which do not break down in the environment. The American company has a factory on the Scheldt River in Belgium which has been discharging PFAS into the water for years. This has led to damage […]
Despite progress in some EU Member States to reduce their use, pesticide pollution still poses significant risks to human health and the environment, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today. To reverse this, much more needs to be done to achieve the EU’s zero pollution targets to reduce by 50% the use and risk […]
The Guardian reports that a chemicals company is releasing large quantities of a “forever chemical” described as being “very persistent, mobile and toxic” into the River Wyre in Lancashire each year, and is not breaking any rules. Earlier this year, the Guardian and Watershed Investigations revealed that effluent coming from the site of AGC Chemicals Europe in Thornton-Cleveleys could […]
New report from ClientEarth and European Environmental Bureau Also see the press release Exactly a year ago, the European Commission announced it would rapidly ban thousands of the most notorious chemicals still found in consumer products and contributing to growing human infertility, serious illnesses and environmental harms. Media coverage was extensive. It published a roadmap promising bans of the most […]