Up to 90% of Irish babies may have been exposed to highly-toxic cancer-causing chemicals present in popular disposable nappy brands sold across the European Union.
A report published to the EU based on research by France's ANSES agency carried out in 2018 revealed that formaldehyde was found in several leading brands.
Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic and highly toxic compound banned from children's toys across the EU, and its presence in some nappy brands will be of concern to parents.
Furthermore, 38 other "very severe" chemical substances were also found in nappy brands.
According to the 2018 study, Pampers Baby-Dry were found to contain formaldehyde, PCBs [endocrine disruptors] which have been banned since 1987, and hormone disrupters [PAHs] at the same level.
Huggies Pull-Ups, meanwhile, had formaldehyde at a level “insufficient to be quantified.”
All tests were carried out using a urine stimulant and heat treatment in a manner that would ape real-life conditions.
🤔Decision-makers in the 🇪🇺 take their time to regulate chemicals in baby nappies
⌛️ But decisions delayed are protection denied
👶Many babies continue to be exposed to the highly toxic nappies
📩Our message to the EU
Stop waisting precious time!
👇https://t.co/j5MoDYbCGx pic.twitter.com/ulD0vskztZ— EEB (@Green_Europe) July 21, 2022
ANSES estimates that over 14 million European children could suffer “potentially very severe, variable and latent diseases affecting their quality of life over their lifetime… such as cancers, suspected endocrine disruption, and reprotoxic effects.”
Children are particularly vulnerable to this chemical, according to the World Health Organisation. The agency has now asked the EU to enforce stricter regulations on nappy production.
Member of the European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Tilly Metz, said: “There is an accumulation of evidence documenting how chemicals impact children’s development. Why is the EU so slow and reluctant in taking action to protect them? I urge the Commission to urgently remedy this and set high EU standards for healthier single-use diapers.”
Vice-chair of the European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Anja Hazekamp, said: “It is very worrying that millions of newborns and children in Europe are already being exposed to dangerous chemicals while they are still in diapers.
She continued: "It is even more worrying that despite the evidence for this, the official EU Chemicals Agency chooses to defend the economic interests of the industry, rather than supporting safety restrictions that would protect the health of these young children. We will continue our fight for a toxic-free environment for all citizens throughout their lives, and surely in their younger and most vulnerable years.”
