NEW EU Projects - Summaries of EC Scientific Assessments
The Co-Publications below are summaries of scientific reports of EU scientific committees, produced under contract with the DG Health and Consumers of the European Commission. The summaries are peer-reviewed and the publication process is overseen by the Commission.
They are published both on the European Commission's website and on copublications.greenfacts.org
Effects of Biocides on antibiotic resistance (2009) by SCENIHR
There is concern that this widespread use of biocides, such as disinfectants, preservatives and antiseptics, may lead to the emergence or proliferation of harmful bacteria that are resistant to both biocides and antibiotics.
In the light of current scientific evidence, can biocides lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Electromagnetic Fields 2009 Update (2009) by SCENIHR
Safety limits have been set by the European Union to protect workers and
the general public against the effects of mobile phones and other electromagnetic
fields. Are these safety limits adequate ?
The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks
(SCENIHR) of the European Commission has reviewed recent scientific evidence. More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Energy-Saving Lamps & Health (2008) by SCENIHR
Currently, conventional incandescent lamps are in the process of being replaced with more energy-efficient lamps, mainly compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Fluorescent light has been used for many years in overhead fluorescent tubes without causing any problems. Nevertheless, certain “light sensitive” citizens’ associations have voiced concerns about compact fluorescent lamps.
Do these energy-saving lamps aggravate the symptoms in patients with certain diseases? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Indoor Air Quality (2008) by SCHER
Much progress has been made in Europe in improving outdoor air quality and limit values have been set for several pollutants. However, indoor air quality also requires attention because this is where we spend most of our time.
Which indoor air pollutants raise concern? How can indoor air quality be determined? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Lamps (2010) by SCHER
Does the mercury they contain pose a risk to consumers?
Are compact fluorescent lamps beneficial to the environment compared to other lamps? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Nanotechnologies (2006) by SCENIHR
Nanotechnologies represent a fast-growing market and are already being widely used. Yet, materials containing nanoparticles may be of concern for human health and the environment.
Are the existing methodologies to assess the risks appropriate? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Non-human primates in research and safety testing (2009) by SCHER
Because of their genetic similarities to humans, more than 100 000 monkeys and apes are used every year around the world for biomedical research and for testing the safety of new drugs.
Are there alternatives to the use of non-human primates in research and testing? Would it be feasible to stop using them altogether? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Personal Music Players & Hearing (2008) by SCENIHR
In recent years, sales of personal music players have soared and an increasing proportion of the population, particularly young people, is exposed to high sound volumes.
In the light of current scientific knowledge, can the use of personal music players damage hearing? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Phthalates in school supplies (2008) by SCHER
Some school supplies, such as erasers, contain phthalates – substances that are added to plastics to make them soft.
Can regularly chewing on such articles cause harmful health effects? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Products that resemble foods and appeal to children Potential risks of accidental ingestion (2011) by SCCS
Some consumer products are packaged to imitate food or appeal to children. This is for instance the case of certain shower gels, liquid soaps and dish-washing liquids. It is likely that these could be swallowed if confused with food.
Who runs the greatest risk and what increases the likelihood of serious poisoning? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Sunbeds & UV radiation (2006) by SCCP
In addition to natural sunlight, sunbed users expose themselves to substantial amounts
of artificial UV radiation.
The European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Products assessed the health
and safety implications of both natural and artificial UV radiation? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Tooth filling materials Dental amalgams & alternative materials (2008) by SCENIHR
Dental amalgams containing mercury have long been used as a tooth filling material, but alternative tooth-coloured materials are increasingly used. How safe and effective are different tooth filling materials? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Tooth Whiteners & Oral Hygiene Products containing hydrogen peroxide (2007) by SCCP
To date, millions of tooth whitening kits have been sold across the world to consumers seeking to brighten their smiles. The whitening ingredient in these products is hydrogen peroxide.
Are toothpastes, mouth-rinses and tooth whitening products containing hydrogen peroxide safe? Should they be freely available to consumers? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
Triclosan and Antibiotics resistance (2010) by SCCS
Triclosan is added to many consumer goods such as cosmetics and detergents to kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth. It is a widely used disinfectant, and there is concern that this widespread use may lead to the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to both biocides and antibiotics.
Can triclosan lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr]
- Themes
- Air Pollution
- Biodiversity
- Chemicals
- Climate change
- Consumer safety
- Disease prevention
- Energy
- Environment
- Food & Lifestyle
- Phthalates
- Radiation & EMF
- Risks of new technologies
- Sustainable development
- Publications A-Z
- AIDS
- Accidental poisoning
- Agriculture
- Alcohol
- Arctic Climate Change
- Arsenic
- Aspartame
- Biocides
- Biodiversity
- Biofuels
- Boron
- CO2 Capture & Storage
- Chernobyl
- Climate Change
- DBP
- DINP-DIDP
- Dental Amalgams
- Desertification
- Diet & Nutrition
- Dioxins
- Ecosystem Change
- Electromagnetic Fields
- Endocrine Disruptors
- Energy Saving Lamps
- Energy Technologies
- Fisheries
- Fluoride
- Forests
- Forests & Energy
- Genetically Modified Crops
- Global Public Health Threats
- Indoor Air Quality
- Malaria
- Mercury
- Mercury in CFL
- Nanotechnologies
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Non-human primates
- Ozone
- PCBs
- Particulate Matter
- Personal Music Players & Hearing
- Phthalates in school supplies
- Power lines
- Psychoactive Drugs
- Respiratory Diseases
- Static Fields
- Sunbeds & UV radiation
- Tobacco
- Tooth Whiteners
- Triclosan
- Tuberculosis
- Water Disinfectants
- Water Resources
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