On 2.6.20, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an online database of chemicals recognized as endocrine disruptors. That is, capable of interfering with the functioning of the endocrine system (sex hormones and thyroid in particular).
Harmful chemicals-often found in everyday objects, including MOCAs (Food Contact Materials and Objects)-that the European Commission stubbornly overlooks.
Endocrine disruptors, the database
TheEndocrine Disruptors (ED) database was set up by the national environmental authorities of 5 EU member states. Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Sweden. (1)
Endocrinedisruptingchemicals, EDCs(Endocrine Disruptors Chemicals), are compiled into three separate lists:
– substances already recognized as EDCs and subject to EU-wide use restrictions,
– EDC being evaluated under EU legislation,
– substances identified as EDCs by at least one of the participating member states and yet not considered by the European Commission.
A database of extraordinary breadth, accessible to all, where the available scientific literature on each of the hundreds of listed substances can be consulted.
Endocrine Disruptors, a wake-up call to the European Commission.
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency presents the Endocrine Disruptors List as a stimulus to the dutiful protection of the public health of European citizens with respect to toxic and harmful chemicals.
‘The purpose of this database is primarily to inform stakeholders about the current status of substances identified as endocrine disruptors (EDs) or under evaluation for endocrine disrupting properties within the EU.
Lists of (potential) EDs are compiled based on available scientific literature in order to expedite the process of identifying and regulating EDs in the EU. Avoiding duplication of work and inconsistencies in substance assessment between legislations.
The EU’s compiledlists of endocrine disruptors, after all, are not yet available’ (EPA, press release 2.6.20).
Chemical hazards, Brussels’ omissions
The ‘transparency’ operation carried out through the two lists, on endocrine disruptors already evaluated or under consideration at the European level, has undeniable utility. For supply chain operators, authorities and the scientific community, and citizens.
The third list is even more useful, as it reveals chemical risks of public health impact that the European Commission, however, has failed to consider.
9 hazardous but ignored substances
In keeping with the spirit of the database’s initiators-increasing transparency, consistency and coordination across legislative sectors-here are the 9 chemicals included in the third Endocrine Disruptor List and evaluated by the Danish Center on Endocrine Disruptors (CeHoS) as early as 2018:
– bisphenol AF, similar to the better known bisphenol A, used in the production of many polymers.
– butylparaben
e
isobutyl paraben
, two parabens used as preservatives in food, drugs and cosmetics. Of the two substances, only the former is being evaluated at the EU level. To recognize them in cosmetic labels, it is useful to know their alternative designations:
- butylparaben, butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (CAS 94-26-8),
- isobutyl paraben, isobutyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, isobutyl-p-hydroxybenzoate (CAS 4247-02-3)
– di-n-pentyl phthalate (DPP), a phthalate used as a plasticizer. Also very dangerous for aquatic life,
– octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane –
D4 (also referred to as cyclic dimethylsiloxane tetramer, OMCTS) is a silicone widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Also very dangerous for aquatic life. It can also be identified in the ingredient list of cosmetics by CAS number 556-67-2,
– prochloraz
is a broad-spectrum fungicide widely used in gardening and agriculture (wheat, barley, mushrooms, cherries). EU authorization expires on 31.12.2. In the EU it is approved in 25 countries (except Malta and Denmark). Alternate name N-propyl-N-[2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenoxy)ethyl]imidazole-1-carboxamide), CAS number 67747-09-5,
– salicylic acid
(salicylic acid) has bacteriostatic, fungicidal and keratolytic effects. The substance is used in many skin care products to treat acne, psoriasis, corns, keratoses and warts. As well as in the formulation of the anti-inflammatory best known under the brand name Aspirin.
Marta Strinati
Notes
(1) The Endocrine Disruptor Lists database can be accessed at https://edlists.org/ The authorities of the 5 member states that participated in its compilation are:
– Belgian Federal Public Service, Health, Food chain safety and environment, https://www.health.belgium.be/en
– Danish Environmental Protection Agency, https://eng.mst.dk/
– Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Netherlands), https://www.government.nl/ministries/ministry-of-infrastructure-and-water-management
– French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), https://www.anses.fr/en
– Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI), https://www.kemi.se/en
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
