ChemRegs Newsletter – April 2021
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
There have been some recent changes to the format of safety data sheets requiring additional information on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) (see our newsletters for October 2020 and March 2021)
Endocrine disruptors are becoming of greater concern for the general population because of the multifarious forms that they can occur. They can be found in a variety of everyday products, such as foods, water, plastics, shampoos, clothes, toothpastes, soaps, fertilizers, paper, textiles, carpets, utensils, bedding, toy, cosmetics, deodorant, etc.
In fact, it is practically impossible not to come into contact with them in everyday life.
With EDCs being so ubiquitous in society and the natural world, it will be useful to have a quick overview of what they are, how they affect us, and how, by contaminating the environment around us, they manage to get into our bodies and into our food.
ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency) describe them as:
“Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the hormonal system and thereby produce harmful effects in both humans and wildlife. In all organisms, hormones link the nervous system and bodily functions such as growth and development, immunity, metabolism, reproduction and behaviour.”
Whilst the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes them as:
“An exogenous agent that interferes with synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action, or elimination of natural blood-borne hormones that are present in the body and are responsible for homeostasis, reproduction, and developmental process.”
In short, endocrine disruptors can get into the body and alter its basic physiology.
The effects of EDCs is not found just in humans, they also affect molluscs, crustaceans, fish, reptiles, birds and most mammals.
EDCs can disrupt many different hormones, which is why they have been linked to numerous adverse human health outcomes including alterations in sperm quality and fertility, abnormalities in sex organs, endometriosis, early puberty, altered nervous system function, immune function, certain cancers, respiratory problems, metabolic issues, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular problems, growth, neurological and learning disabilities etc.
The incidence of EDCs in our lives is very disturbing. A recent example from the mainstream media reported that EDCs are decreasing the sperm count in males. The last 40 years has seen a reported 52.4% decrease in male fertility in western industrialised countries, with sperm counts set to reach zero by 2045!
The reason for this drastic reduction in sperm counts seems to be from increasing exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals found in everything from plastics, electronics, food packaging and pesticides to personal care products and cosmetics.
An example of an EDC is Bisphenol A (BPA) (4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol) EC number 201-245-8.
BPA is a high-volume chemical. This compound is a building block of polycarbonate plastics used for food wrappings and drink cans. BPA is also a component of epoxy resins that are used to line food containers.
BPA can leach from these and other products in contact with the food and drink contained within them. We then ingest the food and drink providing a very effective pathway into our bodies.
Another pathway is absorption through the skin.
A very common item that we come into contact with is consumer receipts.
In the past receipts were printed using ink. The cash register would use an internal ink pad and physically print the data onto the paper till roll.
Till receipts and card readers now use a specialty paper known as thermal paper.
Thermal paper is coated with, amongst other things, BPA.
Unlike the old till rolls, the card reader or till heats the thermal paper causing a chemical reaction. When the mixture on the thermal paper is heated up inside the till or card reader above its melting point, the mixture melts and then cools, which changes the colour of parts of the thermal paper, and the data is left on the receipts. (This is why they sometimes feel warm when you are handed back the receipts along with your card).
Handling the paper leads to increased levels of the EDCs in our bodies, because the BPA on the thermal paper rubs off easily.
So, it seems EDCs are nearly everywhere, in nearly everything, and are the cause of nearly everything that makes us ill. A bit of an oversimplification, but we can agree they are very bad news.
Therefore, the extra information required on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) in the safety data sheets is very necessary.
The sections that the additional information is required are:
Section 2.3 Other hazards.
Section 11.2 Information on other hazards
Section 12.6 Endocrine disrupting properties
Other News
Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy
The UK has published its Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy. The first major economy to do so, it sets out the methods in which the UK will support industrial development decisions, improve investor confidence, and provide the greater certainty needed to enable industrial businesses to begin the journey to net zero.
Clearly mentioned in the report is the chemicals industry, which, as large carbon emitters, will be affected by the recommendations.
You can download the strategy here.
The Environment Bill
The Environment Bill was re-introduced into Parliament on 30 January 2020 following the General Election. The Bill sets out how the Government plan to protect and improve the natural environment in the UK. It’s progress has been delayed due to the pandemic, but it is now at the Report Stage following the first and second readings.
The Environment Bill contains 8 Parts, and 19 Schedules:
Part 1 – Environmental Governance
Part 2 – Environmental Governance – Northern Ireland
Part 3 – Waste and Resource Efficiency
Part 4 – Air Quality and Environmental Recall
Part 5 – Water
Part 6 – Nature and Biodiversity
Part 7 – Conservation Covenants
Part 8 – Miscellaneous and General Provisions
A useful guide on the bill and its contents can be found here.
Ending of COVID restrictions and return to the workplace
As the end of restrictions due to the pandemic gets nearer, and we get back to some form of normality, it is foreseeable that those working from home will start to return to the workplace.
When the workplace fully opens up the issue of ventilation will become more relevant as the workplace returns to its normal numbers of staff.
Over the summer months it will be easier to comply with good ventilation requirements by simply keeping the windows and some doors open to create airflow.
This will need to be reviewed in the autumn when the colder weather comes, and we naturally want to close windows and put the heating on.
The HSE have guidance on returning to the workplace safely: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/roadmap-further-guidance.htm
For more information on anything in this Newsletter, please contact us at info@chemregs.co.uk