Denmark is the first country in the world to ban lead, and restrict cadmium, mercury and nickel. According to Environment Minister Svend Auken, lead is a component in so many products, that restricting its use in individual products is not sufficient. The ban will be phased in beginning in March, 2001, and will be extended to a wide range of products as alternatives are developed. Denmark produces 18,000 tons of lead a year, half of which is recycled.
Although a European Union Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and Environment report concludes the ban will not substantially reduce lead present in the general population, they plan to study whether currently acceptable levels set by the World Health Organisation are too high.
In the U.S., the first report to comprehensively study the scope and sources of developmental and neurological toxins was released, “Polluting Our Future: Chemical Pollution in the U.S. that Affects Child Development and Learning.” The authors reveal that U.S. industry reports only 5 percent of the total of these emissions, which actually amounts to 24 billion pounds a year. Louisiana and Texas emit the most; minorities are subject to the greatest impact. One of six children in the U.S. (12 million) suffer from disabilities like mental retardation, birth defects, autism or attention deficit disorder. The National Academy of Sciences published two recent reports on the subject indicating a growing consensus among scientists that toxins are connected to such disabilities in children.
The largest emitters are manufacturers of chemicals, paper, metal and plastics, and electric power utilities. The printing industry emits the most tuoluene – this is especially problematic because companies are often located near residential areas. The study was produced by The National Environmental Trust, Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Learning Disabilities Association of America.
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