They are difficult to pronounce, even more difficult to treat, persist over time, and can cause serious health problems. Reason for chemical substances, classified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and found in a wide range of products, from packaging to furniture and clothing to paints. European project LIFE (in development in 15 countries) and a smartphone app called Scan4Chem they come to help wake up citizens, brand companies, and fight risk. “As part of the AskREACH project, the Scan4Chem application was developed, which is available for mobile phones and with which anyone can scan the barcode of products and see if they contain chemicals that are harmful to health. Through the application, the user enters the database, which was formed with the help of program operators, and sees if, for example, the clothes he wants to buy contain dangerous chemicals or dangerous chemical compounds. – says Vasiliki Asimakopulu “K”., Research Director of the Institute for Ecological Research and Sustainable Development of the Athens Observatory, which is the implementing agency in Greece of the project in collaboration with the voluntary organization Ecocity. The project is financed by the Green Fund.

Under European legislation, many very serious hazard (SVHC) chemicals are still allowed for use in products on the basis that no substitute has yet been found. However, if the content of these substances exceeds 0.1% by weight, then the retailer, importer and manufacturer are required by law to provide the consumer with this information in accordance with the European REACH regulation on chemicals.

“However, unfortunately, the databases are often not updated by companies, resulting in over half of the products scanned with Scan4Chem missing the required information. However, even in this case, the consumer can request information directly through the application without revealing anything other than their name. The company must respond within 45 days, although it is possible to avoid this. If there is not enough information about the company, the application can request certain information from the consumer,” explains Ms. Asimakopulu.

Even if the databases are not up to date, the consumer can request information through the application.

Significant benefit

“Are companies responding?” we ask the Observatory researcher. “Some respond, and this helps to add to our database. There are also many who do not respond. Either way, this whole process forces companies to be careful about what materials they use in production or what products they sell. Usually the problem is more with imported products or others that also consist of imported materials,” he replies. “An important advantage of the whole process is the awakening and awareness of the consumer. To the extent that he knows that there may be unwanted substances in the products, he is more careful, he prefers products with certificates to avoid hazardous substances, etc.,” adds Ms. Asimakopulu. In any case, the project participants believe that using the Scan4Chem app with mobile phones can help reduce chemical risks. Of course, the number of users is still small, around 35,000 in the 15 countries participating in the project, of which 1,200 are in Greece.

The need to be vigilant and take action regarding the presence of unwanted chemicals in everyday products was also highlighted by the AskREACH sample survey. In particular, 106 products from different countries related to swimming, gardening and home use were examined in a joint certified laboratory. The results were alarming, with nearly a third of the items analyzed containing at least one substance of concern. Ten items contained SVHC above the 0.1% w/w limit. In the most extreme case, substances used as plasticizers have been found at 23% by weight! Such chemical compounds have been found in gardening gloves and children’s paint apron. There were also products unsuitable for sale in the European Union based on REACH.

As the authors of the program warn, these substances are harmful to humans and the environment. They are bioaccumulative, damage DNA, act as hormone disruptors, cause serious health problems, even cancer.