>April 26 (UPI) — Up to 12,000 potentially toxic or harmful chemicals could soon be banned from use in Europe, the European Commission has announced.
>The European Union’s executive branch published a [“restrictions roadmap”](https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/49734 “https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/49734”) on Monday as a first step in prohibiting certain substances linked to diseases and reproductive issues.
>Over 190 million synthetic chemicals [are registered](https://www.cas.org/cas-data/cas-registry “https://www.cas.org/cas-data/cas-registry”) across the globe, according to the Chemical Abstracts Service.
>To make it harder for chemical firms to avoid having individual chemicals banned, the European Chemicals Agency prefers dealing with chemicals in groups.
>Otherwise, firms can use a tactic called “regrettable substitution — altering the composition of chemicals to create sister chemicals that could be just as dangerous, The Guardian reported.
>The toxins will be part of a regularly reviewed rolling list, according to the European Commission.
>The United Nations released a report in February showing that chemical pollution-related deaths are surpassing the [COVID-19 death toll](https://www.upi.com/topic/COVID-19/ “https://www.upi.com/topic/COVID-19/”) in the pandemic’s first 18 months, the Hill reported.
2 comments
>April 26 (UPI) — Up to 12,000 potentially toxic or harmful chemicals could soon be banned from use in Europe, the European Commission has announced.
>The European Union’s executive branch published a [“restrictions roadmap”](https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/49734 “https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/49734”) on Monday as a first step in prohibiting certain substances linked to diseases and reproductive issues.
>The proposal announced this week would be the world’s “largest ever ban of [toxic chemicals](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/25/eu-unveils-plan-largest-ever-ban-on-dangerous-chemicals “https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/25/eu-unveils-plan-largest-ever-ban-on-dangerous-chemicals”)”, according to the European Environmental Bureau, as reported in The Guardian.
>Over 190 million synthetic chemicals [are registered](https://www.cas.org/cas-data/cas-registry “https://www.cas.org/cas-data/cas-registry”) across the globe, according to the Chemical Abstracts Service.
>To make it harder for chemical firms to avoid having individual chemicals banned, the European Chemicals Agency prefers dealing with chemicals in groups.
>Otherwise, firms can use a tactic called “regrettable substitution — altering the composition of chemicals to create sister chemicals that could be just as dangerous, The Guardian reported.
>The toxins will be part of a regularly reviewed rolling list, according to the European Commission.
>Scientists earlier this year said that chemical pollution had surpassed a “planetary boundary,” according to [Euro News](https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/04/26/eu-s-great-detox-could-see-up-to-12-000-potentially-dangerous-chemicals-banned “https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/04/26/eu-s-great-detox-could-see-up-to-12-000-potentially-dangerous-chemicals-banned”), which could threaten humanity’s survival and break down essential ecosystems.
>The United Nations released a report in February showing that chemical pollution-related deaths are surpassing the [COVID-19 death toll](https://www.upi.com/topic/COVID-19/ “https://www.upi.com/topic/COVID-19/”) in the pandemic’s first 18 months, the Hill reported.
Yes please.