Here is a collection of our reports testing hazardous chemicals divided by what was tested - Consumer products, perfumes, Disney childrenswear, rainwater, housedust, wildlife and blood.
Consumer Products
Greenpeace investigations have reported on the content of undesirable
chemicals in a wide range of consumer products, including textiles,
electronic products, toys and cleaners:
Hazardous Chemicals in Consumer Products (September 2003)
The
Determination of Selective Additives in Consumer Products (December 2003)
The
Chemical Shopping Basket, a selection of consumer products in Italy (April 2005)
Greenpeace has also reviewed efforts by major household brands and
consumer goods manufacturers (Nike, Sony, Persil and others) to
eliminate hazardous chemicals in their products. While some companies
are making innovative changes to phase out and substitute hazardous
chemicals, the lack of response of other companies to environmental and
health concerns reinforces the need for legislation.
See national Chemical Home websites
UK ,
France,
Netherlands,
Spain,
Italy
Perfumes
In February 2005, a Greenpeace report revealed the use of hazardous
chemicals in perfumes and provoked great concern within the cosmetics
industry and the wider public. Download the '
Eau de toxines' report The report is based on a study commissioned by Greenpeace from independent Dutch laboratory TNO:
Phthalates and artificial musks in perfumes.
Disney Childrens wear
Greenpeace tested Disney children's clothes for hazardous chemicals, with
shocking results. Disney has ignored calls to change its manufacturing guidelines.
Rainwater
Chemicals in rainwater (Netherlands) May 2003
House Dust
Hazardous chemicals in house dust (UK) May 2003
Blood
A present for life (Sept 2005)- Hazardous chemicals that are used in everyday household products end up
in the bodies of unborn children via the mother.
This study, conducted for Greenpeace and WWF UK by TNO, analysed blood
samples donated by a number of women and confirmed that hazardous
chemicals are unwittingly passed from mother to child.
Chemical footprints in blood (November 2004)
The report is based on a
study commissioned by Greenpeace from
independent Dutch laboratory TNO.
Wildlife:
Swimming in Chemicals (November 2005) - Widespread presence of brominated flame retardants and PCBs in European eels.
European eels from across Europe were found to contain varying levels
of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and/or polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs). The results provide a snapshot of hazardous chemicals in eels
and indicate the degree to which their habitat has been contaminated.
General:
Reebok, Sony Ericsson, Ikea and H&M join a Greenpeace catwalk show
in Brussels to demonstrate toxic-free products:
Substitute with Style,
April 2005
A report detailing the impact of hazardous chemicals on children.
Chemical Legacy: Contamination of the Child, October 2003
Recommendations for policy-makers.
Safer Chemicals Within REACH - Using
the substitution principle to drive green chemistry, February 2005.