How much harm are toxic chemicals in household products?

Chemicals are widespread

In modern society, helping to contribute to better health and improved quality of life across the world. At the same time, there is growing evidence that some chemicals cause products and wastes with hazardous properties to harm human health and the environment.

We need to better understand which chemicals we are exposed to in greatest measure and what the risk from that exposure is.

We, MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee, have been looking into the impact of these toxic chemicals, where they are found and what solutions there may be to protect people and the environment.

During our inquiry we heard that due to different fire safety regulations in the UK, flame retardant chemicals pose a heightened risk.

The 1988 Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations have been under review for ten years with no reforms enacted.

During this time some of the most commonly used flame retardants have been classed as persistent organic pollutants and substances of very high concern.

A lack of action has allowed unnecessary and potentially toxic chemicals to continue to enter the public’s homes.

Consumers have the right to know what chemicals are used in the products they purchase.

What do you think?

As part of our inquiry we wanted to hear from consumers about how much they knew about toxic chemicals in their household products.

Of the 500+ people we heard from 71% said they were 'very concerned' about the presence of potentially harmful chemicals in consumer products.

92% agreed (agree and strongly agree) that more knowledge about potentially harmful chemicals in consumer products would change their purchasing behaviour.

51% didn't think they had sufficient knowledge about potentially harmful chemicals in consumer products to make informed purchasing decisions.

We are troubled by the lack of urgency in response to findings of environmental contamination from chemicals around the Grenfell Tower site.

Three ways the Government can fix the problem of toxic chemicals in consumer products:

1.

The Government should develop a new flammability test standard to reduce the presence of potentially harmful chemicals in our homes.

Based on the EU's smoulder test and California's standard Technical Bulletin 117-2013.

2.

The Government should establish a human and wildlife bio monitoring programme to monitor our exposure to chemicals.

With a specific programme for local residents around Grenfell Tower including monitoring for the effects of exposure to fire effluents.

3.

We recommend reform of the labelling system for chemicals in consumer products.

Consumers should know what is in their products and we are recommending a grouping approach where chemical families used are listed on the packaging.

The Government must now respond to our report

Our report, Toxic Chemicals in every day life was published on 16th July 2019, and the Government has two months to respond to our recommendations.

Detailed information from our inquiry can be found on our website.

If you’re interested in our work, you can find our more on the House of Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee website. You can also follow our work on Twitter.

The Environmental Audit Select Committee is a cross-party committee of MPs that scrutinises government policy.