20 Case Studies on HOW TO PREVENT THE USE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS frequently found in the Mediterranean Region SwitchMed Programme is funded by the European Union This publication was developed by the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC) as part of the EU-funded SwitchMed Programme. SwitchMed benefits from collaborative coordination between the European Union, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN Environment and Action Plan for the Mediterranean and its Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC) and the UN Environment Division. Supervision and coordination: Magali Outters (SCP/RAC), Kimberley de Miguel (SCP/RAC) Authors: Roland Weber (POPs Environmental Consulting, Germany), Peter Fantke (Technical University of Denmark), Amel Ben Hamouda and Borhane Mahjoub (Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, University of Sousse, Tunisia) For bibliographic purposes this volume may be cited as: 20 case studies on how to prevent the use of toxic chemicals frequently found in the Mediterranean Region. Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC). Barcelona, 2018. Design formatting, graphics and illustrations: Dalia Sciama Cover photo: © Eduard Lysenko Printing: GAM Digital, Barcelona, printed on recycled Cocoon Offset paper Copyright: This publication may be reproduced, in full or in part, for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC) provided that the source is acknowledged. SCP/RAC would like to receive a copy of any publication using this publication as a source. This publication may not be resold or used for any other commercial purpose without the written permission of SCP/RAC. Disclaimer: This publication was produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC) and do not reflect the views of the European Union. Acknowledgements: The authors express their gratitude to the people who have contributed to this publication, who facilitated valuable information and particularly to Dr. Simona Balan and Christine Herold for proof reading. For further information, please contact: www.switchmed.eu [email protected] English version 2018, also available in French Legal Deposit : B 17824-2018 20 Case Studies on HOW TO PREVENT THE USE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS frequently found in the Mediterranean Region TABLE OF CONTENTS List of tables 6 List of figures 7 Acronyms and abbreviations 8 FOREWORD 10 INTRODUCTION 12 How to use this publication 14 Rationale for case study selection. Context and limitations 16 20 TOXIC CHEMICALS: OVERVIEW 17 ANTIMICROBIALS AND SURFACTANTS 21 1. Triclosan in personal care products 22 2. Alkylphenol ethoxylates as surfactants in textile industry 24 BISPHENOLS AND PHTHALATES 27 3. Bisphenol A-based polycarbonate in baby bottles 28 4. Bisphenol A as a developer in thermal paper 30 5. Polyethylene plastic bags 33 6. PVC with DEHP in medical appliances 36 7. PVC in toys and childcare products 39 FLAME RETARDANTS AND SHORT CHAIN CHLORINATED PARAFFINS 43 8. Commercial decabromodiphenyl ether in textiles 44 9. Short chain chlorinated paraffins as metal working fluids 48 10. Commercial decabromodiphenyl ether in plastic electronics and transportation 51 11. Short chain chlorinated paraffins in fatliquoring in leather 54 HIGHLY FLUORINATED 57 12. Per- and polyfluorinated alkylated substances in firefighting foam 58 13. Per- and polyfluorinated alkylated substances in textile hydrophobing 61 CERTAIN METALS (AND THEIR SALTS) 65 14. Lead chromate pigments in paints 66 15. Lead oxide in rustproof primer paints 70 16. Copper chromium arsenate in wood treatment 74 17. Chromium in leather tanning 77 PESTICIDES 81 18. Synthetic pesticides used in agriculture 82 SOLVENTS 87 19. Perchloroethylene in dry cleaning 88 20. Perchloroethylene in metal cleaning 90 NOTES AND REFERENCES 93 LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Chemical identity of triclosan 22 Table 2 Chemical identity of commonly used NPEOs 24 Table 3 Chemical identity of available safer alternatives for NPEOs 25 Table 4 Chemical identity of BPA and PC 29 Table 5 Chemical identity of Bisphenol A (BPA) 31 Table 6 Chemical alternatives to bisphenol A (US EPA 2014) 31 Table 7 Chemical identity of DEHP(Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) 37 Table 8 Main phthalates used as plasticizers in soft PVC toys 39 Table 9 Phthalate plasticizers critical toxic effects and Tolerable Daily Intakes (TDI) 40 Table 10 Chemical identity of c-DecaBDE and its main constituent, BDE-209 44 Table 11 Eurostat data on EU27 DecaBDE imports (tonnes) for the years 2000-2012 45 Table 12 Chemical identity of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) 48 Table 13 Chemical identity of c-DecaBDE and its Antimony(III) oxide (ATO) synergis 51 Table 14 Alternative resin systems with non-halogenated flame retardant 52 Table 15 Chemical identity of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) 55 Table 16 Chemical identity of lead chromate pigments used in paints 66 Table 17 Substances used as alternatives for the lead chromate pigment family 69 Table 18 Chemical identity of lead oxide used in rustproof primer paints 70 Table 19 Chemical identity of copper chromium arsenate 74 Table 20 Chemical identity of chromium species used or formed in chromium tanning 77 Table 21 Some biological substitutes for synthetic pesticides 85 Table 22 Chemical identity of perchloroethylene (perc) 88 Table 23 Chemical identity of perchloroethylene (perc) 90 Table 24 Alternatives to perchloroethylene (perc) in metal cleaning 91 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Reusable alfa bags “Koffa” 34 Figure 2 Multiple purpose bag 35 Figure 3 Ranking of plastic according to life cycle considerations 41 Figure 4 Approaches of flame retardant substitution 53 Figure 5 Map of Lead Paint Limits 67 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate ACQ Alkaline copper quaternary DHPS 4,4’-Dihydroxydiphenyl sulphone AFFF Aqueous Film-Forming Foam DIDP Diisodecyl phthalate AFFF-AR Alcohol Resistant Aqueous DNOP Di-n-octyl phthalate Film-Forming Foam DINP Di-iso-nonyl phthalate APEOs Alkylphenol ethoxylates DINCH 1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, AR Alcohol resistant diisononylester ATO Antimony trioxide DPS Diphenyl sulphone ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances EAF Electric arc furnace and Disease Registry EALs Environmentally adapted BADP Bisphenol-A diphenyl phosphate lubricants BAT Best Available Techniques EC European Commission BBP Butyl benzyl phthalate ECHA European Chemicals Agency BEP Best Environmental Practices ECMO Extracorporeal Membrane BFR Brominated Flame Retardant Oxygenation BiVa Bismuth Vanadate EDC Endocrine disrupting chemical BOD Biological Oxygen Demand EFSA European Food Safety Authority BPA Bisphenol A EPA Environmental Protection Agency BPADP Bisphenol A diphosphate ESIS European chemical Substances BPF Bisphenol F Information System BPS MAE Phenol,4-[[4-(2-propen-1-yloxy) EU European Union phenyl] sulfonyl] EVA Ethylene vinyl acetate BW Body weight F3 Fluorine-free foams CAA Clean Air Act FAO Food and Agriculture CAS Chemical Abstracts Service Organization of the United Nations CCA Copper Chromium Arsenate FDA Federal Drug Administration CDC Centers for Disease Control FTAs Fluorotelomer acrylates and Prevention FTOHs Fluorotelomer alcohols CEPA Canadian Environmental GHG Greenhouse gas Protection Act GSPI Green Science Policy Institute CICP Complex Inorganic Coloured HCB Hexachlorobenzene Pigments HCWH Health Care Without Harm CMR Carcinogenic, mutagenic, HDPE High density polyethylene reprotoxic HFC Hydrofluorocarbons CO2 Carbon dioxide HHPs Highly hazardous pesticides COD Chemical Oxygen Demand HIPS High Impact Polystyrene CoRAP Community Rolling Action Plan IARC International Agency for Research CSTEE Scientific Committee on Cancer for Toxicity, Ecotoxicity IFOAM International Federation and the Environment of Organic Agriculture Movements DALYs Disability Adjusted Life Years IHME Institute for Health Metrics DBP Dibutyl phthalate and Evaluation DCPS 4,4’-Dichlorodiphenyl sulphone IPM Integrated Pest Management DecaBDE Decabromodiphenyl ether IV Intravenous DecaBDPE Decabromodiphenyl ethane LCO2 Liquid carbon dioxide DEHP Bis(2-ethylhexyl) LDPE Low density polyethylene 8 20 Case studies on how to prevent the use of toxic chemicals frequently found in the Mediterranean Region LCCPs Long-chain chlorinated paraffins PFR Phosphorus MBHA Methyl bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) Flame Retardant acetate PHA/PHB Polyhydroxyalkanoates MCCPs Medium-chain chlorinated PLA Polylactide paraffins POP Persistent organic pollutant MENA Middle East and North Africa PP Polypropylene MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet Ppm Parts per million MWF Metal working fluid PPO Poly(p-phenylene oxide) NPEOs Nonylphenol ethoxylates PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene NPs Nonylphenols PVC Polyvinyl chloride NICU Neonates in intensive care units RDP Resorcinol-bis(diphenylphosphate ODS Ozone depleting substance RDAs Recommended Dietary OFPA Organic Foods Allowances Production Act of 1990 (US) REACH Registration, Evaluation, PA Polyamide Authorisation and Restriction PAA Primary aromatic amines of Chemicals PAH Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons RoHS Restriction of Hazardous PAN Pesticide Action Network Substances PbB Blood lead SAICM Strategic Approach PBAT Polybutyrate adipate to International