WRAPPED IN CHEMICALS
We are surrounded by chemicals. We ingest them, breath them and even wrap ourselves in them. Some of them are toxic to both nature and human health. Even though science has proven their hazardous effects, many chemicals are still used in consumer products.
TAKE ACTION, sign the petitionLet’s talk about the climate change in the human body
Early last century was the birth of using chemicals to create new materials. It was a time filled with promise and potential. The marvels of modern science promised convenience, durability, and innovation. Man-made chemicals changed our world. Their versatile creations allowed us to store food longer, build faster, and create new materials unimaginable to previous generations, like plastic. These new and exciting materials would contribute to accessibility and decrease the economic gaps. Soon, these chemicals were normal ingredients in more or less every imaginable consumer product.
From food containers to polyester clothing, they infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Shiny dreams led to mainstream use, the possibilities were endless. There was just one catch. Many of the chemicals were toxic to humans and the environment.
Then mass production took off. It got more and more difficult to slow down. Now, modern life has brought hazardous chemicals into our homes and everyday lives. The outcome has become toxic and future generations will pay the price.
Children are now born with man-made chemicals already in their bloodstream, inherited via the umbilical cord. Throughout their lifetime, they will be exposed to even more chemicals, accumulating in their bodies and passing them on to the next generation.
Our bodies are becoming the new wastelands, our health is declining. Researchers have connected many well-known health issues like cancer, infertility and ADHD to exposure to hazardous chemicals. We now face the consequences of our reliance on these chemicals, and it’s clear that we must take action now to reclaim our future.
It’s time we cut the cord to the toxic past. We will never lose hope for a better future. There are safer alternatives to the harmful and outdated chemicals we use today. But for the chemical industry to change, we need the people in power to act. Now.
We know that change is possible.
Chemical topics
Hormone disruptors
Is your couch making you infertile?
There are chemicals around us that severely manipulate and disrupt our hormones. Our hormones are what makes our bodies work. They are in charge of controlling bodily functions such as fertility, metabolism and even our mental health. The hormone disrupting chemicals are used in products that we use daily. They can be used to make your furniture anti-flammable, to give your car that new-car smell or when manufacturing the food container you eat your lunch in. They are useful, no doubt. But are they worth the cost?
Plastics and chemicals
Plastics are so last century
Plastics are made of chemicals, which in turn, are made out of fossil fuels. To make plastic act as we want it to, like being soft or bendable, harmful chemicals are many times added. These chemicals escape out into nature and into our bodies when the plastics are used and start to degrade. Plastics are often connected to hygiene, we want our food securely wrapped and our toothpicks disposable. But the truth about plastic is nasty and unclean.
Climate impact
Include the chemical crisis when talking about the climate
The public is well aware of many of the factors that are negatively contributing to the climate crisis. We’ve all heard about the damage caused by fossil fuels, fast fashion, the meat industry and overall mass production and consumption. But one crisis is still operating in the dark, hidden away from scrutiny, working undisturbed. The chemical crisis is bigger and more harmful than what is commonly known, and it is closely connected to climate issues, as virtually all man-made chemicals use oil as the main ingredient.
PFAS
PFAS are forever and we have commitment issues
When we talk about PFAS as “forever chemicals” we really mean forever. These are chemicals that don’t degrade naturally. They keep accumulating as long as we keep producing and using them. The worst part is that they aren’t contained to the objects they were used in. They seep out into nature, into our drinking water, into our food and air and end up accumulating in our bodies. They affect our health negatively, in the worst case causing irreversible damage. Today, every person on the planet has measurable levels of PFAS in their bodies.
Politics and regulations
Dear politicians – We know that change is possible.
When it comes to regulating chemicals in the EU, the sad truth is that decision-making is largely dictated by money and less so by science. The chemical industry is very good at lobbying and doesn’t hesitate to invest a lot of money in delaying regulations and bans surrounding chemicals. There are chemicals that have been under discussion in the EU for decades that have been scientifically proven to be harmful to human health. In the meantime, they are totally legal to use in consumer products.
Things you didn’t know, that you didn’t know
Sign the petition now
Let’s not put the chemical crisis off to the next generation.
We call on policy makers in the EU to take action against toxic chemicals in our nature, air, water and bodies. We ask them to:
- Fully implement the European Union’s promises on its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to ensure a toxic-free Europe by 2030
- A special focus must be to fix the outdated chemicals control law, REACH, to ensure the fast track banning of the most harmful chemicals in consumer products
- Fully implement the European Union’s action plan to phase out PFAS, including support and facilitate the universal ban of PFAS as well as banning PFAS in sectoral legislations such as toys, cosmetics, packaging and food contact materials.
- Aid communities affected by forever chemical pollution and ensure thorough monitoring, remediation, ground sanitation, health and other plans in response to their needs. Make polluting PFAS manufacturers and related companies accountable for these.
This petition is done together with several European environmental organisations.
