Author Archives: Thomas
Swedish press releases regarding the Council conclusion on combination effects
I seem to have missed those, so let me just supplement my last post with two links to the website of the Swedish Presidency: The official press release is found here and a short question and answers section with Ulf Björnhom, the chair of the Council Working Party on the Environment can be seen here. Thomas
Conclusion of the EU council of ministers on combination effects
The European Council of (Environmental) Ministers has just published a conclusion on combination effects. The whole PDF is available for download here. In particular, the conclusion stresses that further action in the field of chemicals policy, research and assessment methods to address combination effects of chemicals is required, in particular taking into account the fact that existing EU legislation in most cases builds on a chemical-by-chemical assessment approach; and the council invites (whatever that exactly means) the Commission to assess … Continue reading
Random discoveries: The Vega Science Trust
That website is going to cost me a couple of hours (days?): http://www.vega.org.uk/. A huge collection of high quality video streams about a range of scientific subjects, from current issues such as nanotechnology, climate change to interviews with Nobel laureates and young scientists. Not to forget the reflections on science or the next big thing. The ”Vega Science Trust” who is running the show(s) has been founded by Sir Harry Kroto, who is Professor for Chemistry at Florida State University … Continue reading
New workshop report on mixtures of endocrine disrupters
The Danish ministry for the environment recently conducted a workshop on combination effects of chemicals (28-30 January 2009). Although I was invited I unfortunately couldn’t make it. During the time I was hosting some nice, lively influenza viruses. All the fun you can have… Andreas Kortenkamp from the School of Pharmacy in London was organising the workshop, hence it might not be that surprising, that the main focus was on mixtures of endocrine disrupters. However, most of the conclusions also … Continue reading
Substances subject to authorisation under REACH
ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency, published the first recommendations for substances to be included in Annex XIV of REACH, i.e. substances that are subject to authorisation. These are the following (excerpt from the offical press release of the ECHA): musk xylene (vPvB). A fragrance enhancer which is used for example in detergents, fabric softeners and fabric conditioners; 4,4`-diaminodiphenylmethane – MDA (carcinogenic). A hardener which is used for example in epoxy resins and adhesives; short chained chlorinated paraffins – SCCPs (PBT … Continue reading
The ”cocktail effect” is one of the main challenges in chemical regulation, EU Commissioner Stavros Dimas says
The Helsinki Chemicals Forum has organised a conference in May 2009. In his opening speech EU Commissioner for the Environment, Stavros Dimas said that While REACH considers the effects of single substances, the fact is that we are most commonly exposed to a cocktail of many different substances. This is an area in which important gaps remain in terms of knowledge and assessment. These gaps need to be closed in the coming years. I couldn’ agree more. Other challenges that … Continue reading
Comment on the recent publication scam by Elsevier and Merck
Here is another follow-up on the recent publication scam by Elsevier and Merck. The whole story can be found on The Scientist’s blog here and on the links provided in this Wikipedia article. Thomas