How to check which products contain harmful chemicals? What market inspectors are required to do? How should end consumers behave and what should they pay attention to? All of these question were answered at the lecture “Dangerous chemicals in products of daily use” held by representatives of the ALHem organization from Belgrade. The event was organized by Center for Environment on Saturday, December the 3rd2022, in Banja Luka.
The introductory lecture “Living healthy in the world of chemicals” was presented by Jasminka Ranđelović, Master of Biochemical Sciences, who explained what impact chemicals have on human health and the environment, and in particular referred to legal frameworks and provisions, both in Serbia, where the research was conducted, and in BiH.
“The timely transposition of EU regulations into the national legislation is essential in order to avoid situations where our domestic market becomes a market for products prohibited in the European Union.”
Therefore, we welcome the timely adoption of the ban on phthalates in consumer products by the Ministry of Health, which became binding in Republika Srpska only a few months after its entry into force in the EU. On this occasion, we call on the competent inspection authorities to strengthen the inspection supervision of prohibited harmful substances in consumer products, especially phthalates in soft plastic products”, pointed out M.Sc. Ranđelović.
The next lecture focused on dangerous chemicals in the environment, and how every consumer can recognize them and choose safer alternatives, was held by Jelena Milić, PhD of biochemical sciences.
When it comes to chemical products (household chemistry, paints and varnishes, etc.), Dr. Milić recommended citizens to always read the labels of chemical products and to follow the instructions for use and precautions prescribed by the manufacturer.
In addition to reading labels, another option available to consumers is an application developed by the ALHem organization, which has been a great success and has influenced public opinion and institutions in Serbia and the region. The Scan4Chem application allows consumers to find out if the product they are interested in contains harmful substances by scanning the barcode. The scan sends a request for information about substances of concern in the product. The application is free and available in 18 European countries, including BiH.
Also, visitors had the opportunity to see tested products containing illegal amounts of phthalates on the spot. These substances are most often used as plastic softeners (plasticizers), and have been proven to have reproductive toxicity properties (they can be harmful to fertility and the fetus), and can cause disturbances in the function of the hormonal system (endocrine system).
There was great interest in this topic, and institutions responded to the Center’s invitation. In front of the Republic Administration for Inspection Affairs, the Chief Republic Health Inspector and five Republic Health Inspectors took part. Employees of the Institute of Public Health were also present, and the attendees were addressed by M.Sc. ph. spec. Džejna Milaković-Ramadani, Head of the Department for Chemicals and Biocides, at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Republika Srpska. She emphasized the importance of consumer influence on companies that produce products that we use every day, and therefore on the entire BiH market.
This activity was held as part of the SEENET project with the goal of regional cooperation of the SEENET members, which is realized thanks to the support of the organization CCFD-Terre Solidaire.
