When Fredrich Wohler first synthesised a compound (oxalic acid) in 1828, he could hardly have imagined the number of synthetic compounds that we would be using nearly 200 years later. Today, these compounds are all around us, in any number of things from clothes to packaging to cosmetics, but as this number grows, more and more people are beginning to question the health aspect of a world surrounded by synthetic compounds.
To combat these concerns, various agencies have been put in place to regulate, inspect and enforce standards of care for the growing number of new products that enter the market every year.
But given the huge number of new products and developments in chemical engineering that occur daily; can legilsation keep up?
If anybody knows the answer to this question, it is the European Union, who by putting in place the REACH legislation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). These laws were introduced as an assessment system for every new individual complex substance for export or import across the continent.
Despite the huge complexity and uniqueness of the task it was set the program appears to be performing well. Whilst this in itself is a noticeable achievement, it is even more worthy given that the legislation disadvantages the EU’s chemical industry in the global market.
Even more noteworthy, is that the legislation is working, despite the huge pressures laid upon it, putting (as it does) manufacturers, importers, exporters, traders and businessmen in direct conflict with scientists.
But now the process has hit a bump in the road, that will show its true value, for the complex compound of unsaturated polyfluorinated alkyl (PFAS) has been questioned by scientists for its bioaccumulation and toxicity. This is a problem, for some of these compounds form part of a group of surfactants widely used in waterproof fabrics, food packaging and cosmetics.
Other compounds in question include PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) as they have been linked to tumour growth and neonatal deaths, as well as toxic affects on the liver and immune system.
Recently, around 200 European scientists signed a declaration calling for a ban on production and use of these substances and suggested alternative products focus on shorter polymer chains.
So what happens next?
As usually happens when business meets science, the matter turns from being one of economics and science into one of politics. Where only time (and possibly money) will decide on implementation of laws and who is to be punished (if anyone).
We must therefore only trust in the system, and hope that the health of the people and the environment will be given proper consideration. For despite REACH’s successes, the regulations are still fresh and this new test case may well show its real strength or weakness.