Brussels, 24/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - A European scientific study carried out on the initiative of national consumer associations, (Test Achats, euroconsumers, EFC-Que choisir) and the European Consumers Organisation (BEUC) has shown that 76 room scents and deodorants on the Belgian, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese markets contain chemical substances that are damaging to public health and the environment. On the agenda of the Competitiveness Council on Thursday, the legislative proposal, REACH, on use of chemical substances in industry constitutes a step forward for these associations but is still insufficient. Belgian Liberal Frédérique Ries is campaigning for a Green Paper on "internal pollution".
The scientific study had several objectives: assess chemical substances breathed in by consumers, evaluation of the risks to health, examine product labels and evaluate their efficiency. It revealed that room scents and deodorants released all sorts of chemicals into the atmosphere had a high level of toxicity. Some of these substances irritated eyes and respiratory tracts, other provoked allergies or asthma, while others had a harmful effect on the hormonal system. From benzene to formaldehyde, they have been proved to provoke cancers in humans and have even been found in around 76 products tested. According to Jim Murray, BEUC director, breathing in these toxic substances such as those in the Rue de la Loi in rush hour was worrying (a road in Brussels with very busy traffic: Editor's note).
Room scents and deodorants are categorised into five sections: products that are immediately released (aerosols, vaporisers, sprays), slow release products (sticks, gels, wicks, oils), electric diffusers, perfumed candles and products that are artificially natural such as incense.
Carine Dechamps, Head of the technical study at Test Achats, indicated that among the five categories, perfumed candles and incense were particularly harmful due to smoke effects on the same level as passive smoking. Although they want to avoid any alarmist reactions, the consumer associations do not advise vulnerable people (pregnant women, children and asthmatics) to use deodorants or room scents. All the more so, given that living conditions often contain a high level of chemical products in furniture, paint, varnishes and clearing products.
On the basis of this investigation, consumer associations have announced a list of demands from a fast expanding scent industry. They call for the immediate withdrawal of three product they consider dangerous and claim that substances contained in the breakdown of deodorants in the house should be subject to toxicological tests before being sold. They say that labelling should be obligatory for indicating any allergic substances. Furthermore, they call for specific regulation on advertising that can be misleading or false. BEUC insists on the importance of the REACH proposal in European chemical substance legislation. Jim Murray sad that although this was a step in the right direction, the proposal did have some loopholes and that the priority had to be on chemical substances that appeared to be the most harmful rather than on products used in large quantities. He added that current products of consumption should not contain any toxic chemical substances that were persistent or which would organically accumulate and that they should be the subject of specific labelling.
In the press conference, Frédérique Ries (MR) expressed her worries about the "shocking but not surprising" results from the scientific study. Ries said that political decision makers had to take action for health and in workplaces. She supported the application of the precautionary principle at at-risk populations as soon as alternatives existed. This could be introduced via strengthening European level legislation, she said, adding that she had presented her report on Tuesday at the parliamentary committee which was on the Community action plan 2004-10 for the environment and public health and that it highlighted the need for a Green Paper on internal pollution.