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"Toxic inheritance: More than 300 pollutants in breast milk - Time for a new chemicals policy"


Report launch at the European Parliament, 27 June 2006

From left to right: Maryse Lehners (IBFAN), Patricia Cameron (BUND), Avril Doyle (MEP), Genon Jensen (EPHA Environment Network) Click on the photos for high resolution ones.

European Parliament, Brussels, 27 June 2006 - Mrs Avril Doyle MEP, together with health, environmental, breastfeeding and women's NGOs, host a discussion for the launch of Friends of the Earth Europe report to MEPs "Toxic inheritance: More than 300 pollutants in breast milk - time for a new chemicals policy".

Hazardous chemicals continue to contaminate our bodies and our children's bodies.
This new report examines studies conducted by various scientific bodies to measure persistent pollutants in humans by analyzing breastmilk. The report begins with a foreword by Vice-President of the European Commission, Margot Wallström. The eport reveals that the contamination of women, men and children with toxic synthetic substances results from flawed chemicals policy.

The European Chemicals Policy reform, REACH, could address this issue and help mothers to breastfeed with confidence and protect tomorrow's generations from exposure to hazardous chemicals and their long-term health effect. However, it must be strengthened in the second reading and then it must be implemented correctly.

Speakers:
- Welcome and Introduction: Avril Doyle, Member of the European Parliament
- About "Toxic Inheritance": Patricia Cameron, BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany)
- Chemicals and Our Health: Genon Jensen, European Public Health Alliance Environment Network
- The benefits of breastfeeding: Maryse Lehners, IBFAN International Babyfood Action Network

Toxic inheritance More than 300 pollutants in breast milk - Time for a new chemicals policy    - Full report    - Summary of the report

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