Guest Corner
In this section, ECHA invites stakeholders to contribute articles on their work and priorities related to chemicals in our everyday life.
03 November 2020
Valérie Séjourné
In a recent survey, 89% of consumers in Europe said that when their home is clean, it gives them peace of mind, and that cleanliness and hygiene in public spaces is important for good health and wellbeing. These findings show an increasing awareness of the need for good hygiene practices.
In a recent survey, 89% of consumers in Europe said that when their home is clean, it gives them peace of mind, and that cleanliness and hygiene in public spaces is important for good health and wellbeing. These findings show an increasing awareness of the need for good hygiene practices.
20 October 2020
By Natacha Cingotti
"A tidal wave of plastic is on the horizon. According to the plastics industry, the world’s plastic production reached 350 million tonnes in 2017(...)taking on the plastics challenge in a way that puts health and the environment first to deliver on Europe’s Zero Pollution ambition requires upgrading European regulations... "
"A tidal wave of plastic is on the horizon. According to the plastics industry, the world’s plastic production reached 350 million tonnes in 2017(...)taking on the plastics challenge in a way that puts health and the environment first to deliver on Europe’s Zero Pollution ambition requires upgrading European regulations... "
14 October 2020
By Dr. Elke Pieper
"The basic principle of the electronic cigarettes: vapourising the ingredients instead of burning them. At the BfR we have investigated this alternative to smoking. Our result: e-cigarettes are not without harm."
"The basic principle of the electronic cigarettes: vapourising the ingredients instead of burning them. At the BfR we have investigated this alternative to smoking. Our result: e-cigarettes are not without harm."
28 July 2020
By Baskut Tuncak
"One simple step for EU Member States would be to stop exporting toxic chemicals and pesticides prohibited from use for health or environmental reasons unless there is a strong public interest justification."
"One simple step for EU Member States would be to stop exporting toxic chemicals and pesticides prohibited from use for health or environmental reasons unless there is a strong public interest justification."
30 June 2020
By Dr Lothar Lieck
"If you need reliable information on the status quo of workplace safety and health in Europe, consult the OSH Barometer data visualisation.".
"If you need reliable information on the status quo of workplace safety and health in Europe, consult the OSH Barometer data visualisation.".
16 June 2020
By Dr. Hui Jiang and Dr. Randi Bates
"Our research team found that frequent use of common household products is associated with lags in children’s language and cognitive skills by age two".
"Our research team found that frequent use of common household products is associated with lags in children’s language and cognitive skills by age two".
12 March 2020
By Natacha Cingotti
It is time to put European promises on endocrine disruptors “a cross-cutting strategy to protect citizens’ health from environmental degradation and pollution” into action.
It is time to put European promises on endocrine disruptors “a cross-cutting strategy to protect citizens’ health from environmental degradation and pollution” into action.
18 February 2020
By Dr. David Andrews
PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ have contaminated the drinking water and rainwater in the US according to a test study by the American Environmental Working Group (EWG). This could in part explain the contamination of people and animals around the globe.
PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ have contaminated the drinking water and rainwater in the US according to a test study by the American Environmental Working Group (EWG). This could in part explain the contamination of people and animals around the globe.
28 January 2020
By Sehbar Khalaf
Two inspections of slime toys published by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that the substance boron released from 11 slime toys could pose a serious risk for children. The Danish EPA advises consumers to get rid of the toys.
Two inspections of slime toys published by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that the substance boron released from 11 slime toys could pose a serious risk for children. The Danish EPA advises consumers to get rid of the toys.
24 January 2020
By Petteri Talasniemi
The most common tattoo complications are local inflammation, allergic reactions and bacterial infections. Sensitising and irritant substances contained in tattoo inks may cause allergic and other local skin reactions.
The most common tattoo complications are local inflammation, allergic reactions and bacterial infections. Sensitising and irritant substances contained in tattoo inks may cause allergic and other local skin reactions.
17 December 2019
By Dr. Anna Lennquist
Since a couple of years back, people with chemical-something in their job titles have discussed what to do about so-called forever chemicals. But what are these chemicals and why are so many people discussing them?
Since a couple of years back, people with chemical-something in their job titles have discussed what to do about so-called forever chemicals. But what are these chemicals and why are so many people discussing them?
12 November 2019
By Isabelle Alenus, Communications at FEICA
"Innovative solutions in chemicals are essential to the circular economy and to our health, but need to stretch across the entire value chain to deliver what they promise"
"Innovative solutions in chemicals are essential to the circular economy and to our health, but need to stretch across the entire value chain to deliver what they promise"
04 November 2019
By Gabriella Kemendi, Secretary General at EFIC
"Do you know, for example, what the furniture in your home is made of? Did you know that it may have been treated with toxic flame retardants? "
"Do you know, for example, what the furniture in your home is made of? Did you know that it may have been treated with toxic flame retardants? "
21 October 2019
By Anne Lagerqvist, toxicologist, Chemicals Centre in Stockholm
"The result was 2100 kg of phthalates for the old mattresses and 175 kg for the plastic toys. Stockholm's children are also saved from about 230 kg of a type of a flame retardant."
"The result was 2100 kg of phthalates for the old mattresses and 175 kg for the plastic toys. Stockholm's children are also saved from about 230 kg of a type of a flame retardant."
23 September 2019
By Dr Urs Ch. Hofmeier, Managing Director of Swiss Salt Works
"Salt also has an important technological role in the manufacture of many foods. In addition to its well-known function as a preserver and a flavor enhancer, it is also fundamental to the consistency and texture of lots of foods such as bread and cheese."
"Salt also has an important technological role in the manufacture of many foods. In addition to its well-known function as a preserver and a flavor enhancer, it is also fundamental to the consistency and texture of lots of foods such as bread and cheese."
06 September 2019
By Federica Madia, biologist and scientific officer in the Chemical Safety and Alternative Methods Unit of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)
"A first step would be to prioritise the carcinogenicity assessment of chemicals for their potential to contribute specifically to the development of the four most prevalent cancers (breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers)."
"A first step would be to prioritise the carcinogenicity assessment of chemicals for their potential to contribute specifically to the development of the four most prevalent cancers (breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers)."
01 August 2019
By Violaine Verougstraete, Chemicals Management Director at Eurometaux
"You as a consumer interact with alloys every day. Should you be alarmed that several metals entering the composition of alloys may present hazardous properties?"
"You as a consumer interact with alloys every day. Should you be alarmed that several metals entering the composition of alloys may present hazardous properties?"
23 July 2019
By Louis Ollion, Scientific Officer at EuRIC
"Sooner or later, everyday life products will become waste, and in a circular economy, waste become again part of everyday life products."
"Sooner or later, everyday life products will become waste, and in a circular economy, waste become again part of everyday life products."
12 July 2019
by Dorota Napierska, Chemicals Policy and Project Officer at Health Care Without Harm Europe
"Healthcare must increase its efforts to minimise the risks posed by the toxic chemicals used in their procedures, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, neonates, and chronically ill patients."
"Healthcare must increase its efforts to minimise the risks posed by the toxic chemicals used in their procedures, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, neonates, and chronically ill patients."
20 June 2019
By Pelle Moos, Senior Policy Officer at BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation
"The circular economy will only succeed if consumers are confident that products made from recycled materials are safe"
"The circular economy will only succeed if consumers are confident that products made from recycled materials are safe"
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the ‘Chemicals in Our Life – Guest Corner’ do not necessarily represent the views of ECHA, and ECHA does not support or endorse any content by third party contributors on this site. You acknowledge and agree that by viewing such third party content, you are doing so at your own discretion and risk, including any reliance on the accuracy and completeness of that content. ECHA accepts no responsibility and liability in respect of the third party content.