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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
Fragrance ingredients are used in consumer goods to give them a specific, usually pleasant smell. They can sometimes cause skin irritations or allergic reactions.
Is the list of fragrance substances that have to be identified on consumer products sufficient, or are there more that should be added to the list? More...
Latest update: 30 September 2013
Metal-on-Metal joint implants may solve many dysfunctions related to the hip. But, but do they come with risks? More...
Latest update: 5 March 2015
Are silver nanoparticles safe? Implications for health, the
environment and microbial resistance
(SCENIHR) 
Are silver nanoparticles safe for your health and for the environment? More...
Latest update: 17 June 2014
Toys may be manufactured from materials containing chromium VI. Are toys containing chromium VI safe for children? More...
Latest update: 4 March 2015
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to produce certain plastics such as polycarbonates, and epoxy resins.
Is exposure to BPA via medical devices safe? Are there any risks? More...
Latest update: 24 June 2015
Dental fillings: a concern for your health? Safety of dental amalgam
and alternative dental restoration materials (SCENIHR) 
In light of recent scientific studies on dental amalgam, SCENIHR revisited its 2008 opinion on the safety and performance of both dental amalgam and possible alternatives.
Mercury, which is the metallic element used in dental amalgam fillings, has well-documented and well-known health effects. Do dental amalgam and alternative materials pose any risks? More...
Latest update: 2 July 2015
New SCENIHR opinion examines latest data on health impact of latest technologies
Is EMF exposure dangerous for your health? More...
Latest update: 6 March 2015
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...
Latest update: 8 October 2009
The omnipresence of new technologies that emit electromagnetic fields has raised concerns about how EMF exposure might impact our health. More...
Latest update: 8 September 2009
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...
Latest update: 29 May 2009
New energy saving lighting technologies are being used more and more.
Can these new artificial light sources affect the health of the general public or of light-sensitive people? More...
Latest update: 18 February 2013
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...
Latest update: 15 June 2008
The commercial use of nanomaterials is fairly new, and while it may offer promising and beneficial applications, it also raises questions about its safety. Is nano-silica in cosmetics dangerous? More...
Latest update: 1 August 2015
What are the environmental risks and indirect health effects of mercury from dental amalgam? More...
Latest update: 15 March 2014
Does the mercury they contain pose a risk to consumers?
Are compact fluorescent lamps beneficial to the environment compared to other lamps? More...
Latest update: 7 July 2011
Is the use of methylene glycol in hair straightening products safe? More...
Latest update: 30 September 2013
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...
Latest update: 15 August 2007
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...
Latest update: 29 June 2009
Parabens are a group of chemicals that are widely used as preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorants, shower gels and body creams.
They effectively prevent the growth of microorganisms. Is the way that they are used safe? More...
Latest update: 30 September 2013
Fragrance ingredients are used in consumer goods to give them a specific, usually pleasant smell. They can sometimes cause skin irritations or allergic reactions.
Is the list of fragrance substances that have to be identified on consumer products sufficient, or are there more that should be added to the list? More...
Latest update: 15 June 2013
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...
Latest update: 13 October 2008
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...
Latest update: 8 June 2009
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...
Latest update: 20 March 2012
Because of increased concern over terrorist attacks on aircraft, new security scanners have been developed to screen passengers at airports, some using x-rays.
Is their use safe for passengers and workers? More...
Latest update: 18 February 2013
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...
Latest update: 15 August 2007
SynBio uses faster and easier methods for producing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). What could be the potential risks of synthetic biology? More...
Latest update: 15 August 2015
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...
Latest update: 15 August 2008
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...
Latest update: 26 September 2008
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...
Latest update: 17 October 2011
To improve airport security in the light of terrorist threats new full-body scanners have been developed to complement existing metal detectors and hand searches.
How safe are such X-ray security scanners for passengers, in particular for frequent flyers? More...
Latest update: 30 September 2013
Zinc oxide is a white powder which is widely used in a variety of applications, one of which being in cosmetic products as a UV filter. New technologies have recently allowed the use of nano- sized zinc oxide particles.
Are these different to conventional zinc oxide in terms of physical and chemical properties and toxicity? More...
Latest update: 30 September 2013
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