Toxics

We are continuously exposed for chemical substances which are hazardous for our helath and for to environment. Some of them are already present in the natural environment. These natural toxics would not be a threat if mankind handn´t extracted them from the crust of the earth and spread them in the environment. Natural toxics are e.g. heavy metals, hydrocarbons, radioactive substances and carbon dioxide.

But most of the substances which are hazardous are manmade - or synthetic. Mankind has invented them and in most cases we have no idea about their effects on humans or the natural environment. Today there are approximately 70 000 such substances circulating in the EU. Practically none of them have been assessed for their effects on a long term scale - nevertheless they are used in a long range of products and processes, and pollute the environment either when the products are manufactured, used or disposed. One example of such a polluting substance is brominated flameretardants. These are a group of many substances which are extensively used in plastics, textiles etc to prevent fires. In Sweden, scientists have found that women have high levels of brominated flame retardants in their breast milk. According to the Swedish Chemical Inspectorate, the levels of bromintated flame retardants are increasing rapidly, and in womens breast milk, the levels are now on the limit of what may cause damages to the brains of the nursing children.

The use of substances like these is increasing dramatically. Many of them can now be detected widely in the environment - in water, earth, plants, animals and humans. Noone knows the consequnces.

The objective of Greenpeace Toxic Campaign is that society shall:
· Stop the use of persistent, synthetic substances, so that the levels in the environment can be brought domn to zero.
· Stop using degradable, synthetic substances if the producer can not prove that they are non-hazardous.
· Reduce the use of natural hazardous substances so that the levels of these in the environment can be brought down to natural levels.