Campaigners are calling for the government to take action on the toxic chemicals often used as flame retardants on furniture and upholstery after a new report found that the breast milk from UK mothers has the highest concentration of flame retardants in the world, the Independent reported.
Some of the chemicals identified have been banned, because of concerns over their harmful effects, but because of their widespread use and longevity, they are still finding their way into people’s systems.
Mary Creagh, chairwoman of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee, which produced the report, said that there is widespread use of chemical flame retardants on everything from sofas to children’s mattresses.
“The government is sitting on its hands instead of changing regulations to ensure that the most toxic chemicals are taken out of use,” she asserted.
As well as making their way into our bodies, these chemicals also increase the toxicity of a fire, which can cause more problems and potentially deaths as a result of smoke inhalation.
The true extent to which these chemicals are affecting people’s health is largely unknown, however, which is one of the arguments for establishing a UK human biomonitoring programme.
Last month, Chemical Watch reported that it is something being considered for the sector post-Brexit. At present, the UK is part of an EU biomonitoring initiative, although that project will come to an end in 2021.
A biomonitoring programme is one of the recommendations in the report from the Commons Environmental Audit Committee.
If you need help with toll processing, contact us today to find out more about our services.