PHTHALATES, PARABENS: TOWARDS A BAN ON TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN EVERYDAY LIFE?

 

Moisturising creams, shampoos, shoes, nail polish, lacquers, perfumes, inks, pipes, detergents, medications, etc. All of these products we use in our daily life contain phthalates, parabens and alkylphenols.

Suspected of causing certain cancers and damaging the male reproductive system, there are now calls to ban these substances in everyday products.

On 13 July 2010, a bill was proposed by Yvan Lachaud (Nouveau Centre MP). This bill was a very simple text comprising a single article: “The manufacture, import, sale and supply of products containing phthalates, parabens and alkylphenols is prohibited.”

There are in fact natural alternatives that can replace these chemical substances which are potentially dangerous for the health of users.

This proposal was referred to the Social Affairs Committee and examined during the session of 5 April, but it rejected the entire bill, meaning these substances were neither banned nor even suspended.

 

On 3 May 2011: The assembly voted to ban these preservatives, as well as phthalates and alkylphenols, all of which are suspected of acting as endocrine disruptors and of having serious repercussions for human health (notably in terms of fetal malformations and reduced fertility). Note that to be approved, the legislation voted through on 3 May 2011 by the National Assembly must also be voted through by the Senate: this was only its first reading.