Public "at risk" from untested chemicals

The government is putting lives at risk by failing to test thousands of chemicals, according to a report by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, an independent body funded by the government.

The report, Chemicals in products: safeguarding the environment and human health, says there are 30,000 chemicals used in the European Union that have never been subject to comprehensive testing on any risks they pose to humans and ecosystems.

They include chemicals used to make cosmetics, computers, pharmaceuticals, glues, cleaning products, paints and cars.

The commission calls for fundamental reform of the system used by government and industry to protect people and the environment from man-made chemicals.

Its chair, Sir Tom Blundell, said: "Current approaches to assessing and managing the risks of man-made chemicals in the environment are cumbersome, unsound and rely heavily on animal testing. We want to see a government strategy to achieve a steady, measurable reduction in the use of hazardous chemicals."

The report can be downloaded from the commission's website: www.rcep.org.uk/chemicals.html. A summary report can be obtained free by phoning 020 7799 8972.