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Substances we take in through food and water or through the air we breathe may influence our health.
Acrylamide can be formed in many fried and baked food products. Is there a risk to health? More...
Latest update: 10 March 2017
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
Evaluating the safety of chemicals most often requires the use of tests on animals.
However, there is a strong push towards the use of alternative methods. What are these alternatives and are they effective? More...
Latest update: 20 May 2018
Toys may be manufactured from materials containing chromium VI. Are toys containing chromium VI safe for children? More...
Latest update: 4 March 2015
Arsenic is a poisonous substance, which is released both from certain human activities and naturally from the earth's crust. Humans may be exposed to arsenic mainly through food and water. To what extent can arsenic exposure affect human health or the environment? More...
Latest update: 15 December 2004
Aspartame is one of the most widely used artificial sweetener, is it safe? More...
Latest update: 28 March 2017
Biosecurity is concerned with animal and plant diseases, invasive species, the transmission of diseases from livestock to humans, and the effect that all of these can have of health and the environment. How can it be ensured through an integrated approach? More...
Latest update: 16 December 2019
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
Boron is a naturally occurring element used in products such as fibreglass, detergents, agricultural fertilizers and herbicides. Could it affect my health? Under what conditions could it be beneficial or harmful to the environment? More...
Latest update: 15 December 2004
Chlorine and sodium hypochlorite hazards and risks: no need for further risk
reduction measures (WHO) 
Chlorine and sodium hypochlorite are widely used for disinfection and bleaching, among other things to disinfect drinking water. It appears that the usage guidelines recommend since several years are still adequate in 2017. More...
Latest update: 5 May 2017
The aim of this peer reviewed comparison is to put in perspective the potential dangers and risks of four phthalates used mainly as plasticizers in PVC applications and help the non specialist reader to make its opinion in these matters. More...
Latest update: 30 August 2013
Conclusions by EFSA of a critical assessment of the endocrine disrupting properties of a series of pesticides (EFSA) 
The european regulations on pesticides have brought forward a debate on the concepts of risk and hazard in this particular context. More...
Latest update: 28 June 2016
Diethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used plastic additive.
Its widespread use in everyday and medical products has raised some concerns about its safety. Does it pose a risk to health or the environment? More...
Latest update: 17 July 2012
Dioxins are mainly released by human activities such as incineration and fuel combustion. Some dioxins and some "dioxin-like" PCBs are known to be harmful. In 2008, the facts summarised by GreenFacts are still considered a valid reference. More...
Latest update: 15 August 2004
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
Some chemicals, both natural and man-made, can interfere with the hormonal system.
Have endocrine disruptors affected wild life and our hormonal system? How much is known so far? More...
Latest update: 15 March 2004
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can influence the functioning of the system of hormones and receptors that regulate the body.
What are the risks associated with those chemicals? More...
Latest update: 1 May 2015
Exposure to mixture (“cocktails”) of chemical substances: Are the health and environmental risks adequately evaluated? (SCHER) 
There is increasing concern in the general public about the potential toxic effects of chemical substance mixtures (in the media often referred to as “cocktail-effects”). More...
Latest update: 17 June 2014
Exposure to multiple “chemical mixtures”: methods for their human and
ecological risk assessment (EFSA) 
Organisms, including humans, are exposed to mixtures of chemicals rather than to isolated, single compounds. Yet the safety of chemicals is usually assessed compound per compound.
But how to evaluate the risk of multiple possible combinations of chemicals when present in a mixture? More...
Latest update: 21 August 2019
Food and drinking water typically contain at least small amounts of fluorides. Fluorides are commonly added to dental products – and sometimes to tap water – to prevent cavities. Under what conditions can fluoride exposure be beneficial or detrimental to human health? More...
Latest update: 15 April 2005
What explains such a difference in the classification of glyphosate between the evaluations conducted by IARC and EFSA? More...
Latest update: 24 April 2016
Hazards and risk associated to Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and
PFOA-related substances (ECHA) 
PFOA is a compound used in the production of materials with water- or oil-repellant properties, such as waterproof fabrics and non-stick cookware. Is its presence in finished products a risk? More...
Latest update: 31 March 2017
The global production of plastics is increasing, and that increase is accompanied by an increase in plastic waste.
Part of this waste makes its way into the marine environment in the form of micro-plastics. What do we know about the extent of this problem? More...
Latest update: 15 March 2013
Mercury is a heavy metal which is known to be highly toxic. Though mercury occurs naturally in the environment it is now mainly released by human activities. Are humans and the environment at risk? More...
Latest update: 15 November 2004
Some chemicals can interact with the endocrine system and cause health problems. These 'endocrine disruptors' are difficult to evaluate in terms of health risks.
Are current methods adequate? More...
Latest update: 30 August 2013
Is the use of methylene glycol in hair straightening products safe? More...
Latest update: 30 September 2013
Do neonicotinoid pesticides have an effect on services provided by ecosystems? More...
Latest update: 8 March 2016
No risk of Alzheimer or cancer from aluminium exposure according to various
scientific assessments (EFSA) 
Aluminium is widely used in food packaging, appliances, as part of food additives, cosmetics, etc.
Does it pose a health risk? More...
Latest update: 24 February 2017
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were widely used in the past, mainly in electrical equipment. Because these compounds are generally very stable, they remain present in the environment today. What are the health risks associated with PCBs? More...
Latest update: 15 September 2006
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
We review the scientific literature regarding the health risks associated with occupational exposure to pesticides. More...
Latest update: 7 June 2016
DBP is mainly used in PVC and other plastics. Other applications besides inks, paints and adhesives, include nail polish, perfumes, sealants, and lubricants.
Main conclusions: At some industrial sites, exposure of workers and emissions to air should be reduced More...
Latest update: 15 December 2005
DIDP and DINP are two very similar phthalates. They are mainly used in PVC and other plastics, but also in some inks, paints and adhesives.
Main conclusions: DIDP in toys may pose a risk; more research may be needed on the environmental effects of DIDP and DINP. More...
Latest update: 15 December 2005
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
Poly brominated flame retardant decaBDE: updated hazards, risks and regulatory
measures adopted. (ECHA) 
Flame retardants are used in the production of many fabrics, plastics and other materials to make them more resistant to catching fire. Among these products, is decaBDE, widely used, safe to use? More...
Latest update: 23 March 2017
Various extracts on aspirin from the World Cancer Report 2020 indicate that aspirin may have important preventive effects on various forms of cancer, which are highlighted here. More...
Latest update: 2 April 2021
What are the challenges that are posed by this substitution process ? More...
Latest update: 30 April 2016
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
Plastic waste is a growing issue: plastic production is projected to double over the next decade, and without a planning for the effective management of waste, the social, economic and environmental impact is also projected to increase.
Latest update: 15 February 2019
Reducing the impact of hazardous chemicals on public health: what is known and
what can be done to reduce it? (WHO) 
What can be done to reduce the effects of exposure to harmful chemicals? More...
Latest update: 15 October 2018
The 2019 reassessment of the pesticide sulfoxaflor and, in particular, its
impact on bees and other pollinators (EFSA) 
Sulfoxaflor is a new insecticide active ingredient that was recently registered for approval. It has been developed subsequent to the restrictions of use of neonicotinoids1, partly because of their effects on honey bees. Is this new molecule safe? More...
Latest update: 26 April 2019
Cancer burden is rising globally, what can be done to prevent a further increase? What are the strategies that can be used for cancer prevention and early detection? More...
Latest update: 24 March 2020
The most comprehensive, up-to-date science on cancer prevention, including statistics, causes, mechanisms and early prevention. More...
Latest update: 23 March 2020
The risks of environmental effects of pharmaceutical and medicinal products (DG Health and Consumers) 
The pollution of the various compartments of the environment (water, soil and air) with pharmaceutical residues is an environmental concern More...
Latest update: 26 March 2015
Key steps taken by an intercountry meeting organised by the WHO in 2019 to strengthen regional and national capacity to detect, verify and control emerging infectious diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential. More...
Latest update: 20 April 2021
Pollution is everywhere. Contaminants coming from human activity are found in the most remote reaches of the planet.
How can we ensure that the planet doesn’t degrade further? More...
Latest update: 19 December 2017
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 protect drinking water against germs and fight disease transmitted through water, disinfectants such as chlorine, chloramines, ozone and chlorine dioxide are used.
Unwanted by-products can be formed, which raise health concerns. More...
Latest update: 15 August 2004
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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