The European Environment Agency acknowledged this Wednesday that progress has been made in some areas in switching to less polluting and toxic chemicals, but warned that much remains to be done to reduce health and environmental impacts.
In a statement, the European Environment Agency said the number of industrial chemicals under scrutiny has “increased significantly” under legislation approved in the European Union (EU) and that authorities now have “more knowledge” about the harmful properties of chemicals. substances used in the European Union (EU). 27 countries of the public block.
“As a result, measures were taken to minimize and control the consequences of the use of several groups of substances,” the department said.
However, the use of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductively toxic chemicals continues to increase, albeit at a slower rate.
In a statement, the agency warned that “more needs to be done to ensure that products do not contain harmful substances, such as chemicals that interfere with the hormonal system” or substances that persist in the body, are bioaccumulative and toxic. and this poses a danger even after they are no longer used.
“Human biomonitoring” is also “an opportunity to understand how human exposure to chemicals from different sources” has health consequences and what problems are associated with chemical pollution.
The agency’s chief executive, Leena Ylä-Mononen, warned that the health of EU citizens and the environment must be a “priority” and that despite the positive impacts of chemical use, “more decisive action is needed,” the statement said. minimize the risks of your presence.