The model was also used to probe the influence of partitioning and degradation properties, length of emissions, and model assumptions regarding lipid content and liver metabolism on concentration age trends of
bioaccumulative and persistent contaminants.
ChemSec said the REACH law tended to prioritize controls on carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances (CMRs) along with persistent,
bioaccumulative, and toxic substances (PBTs) over endocrine disruptors.
Of the seven substances concerned, three are classified as toxic to reproduction, one as carcinogenic and three as persistent,
bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very
bioaccumulative (vPvB).
Manufacturers of organic pigments have had to be quick off the mark because of the threat of relatively large numbers of pigments being classified as persistent,
bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumlative (vBvP) which would mean their automatic inclusion on the candidate list.
Categorization identified those that are inherently toxic to humans or to the environment and that might be persistent, those that are
bioaccumulative and are ones to which people might have greatest potential for exposure.
Under REACH, chemicals needing possible substitution will be those categorized as being carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction (CMRs), persistent,
bioaccumulative and toxic (PBTs) and very persistent and very
bioaccumulative (vPvBs).
It continues: "Persistent and
bioaccumulative chemicals are to be replaced whenever safer alternatives are available at an economic cost." Products deemed dangerous to reproduction (endocrine disrupters) would be exempt.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), chemical additives used as flame retardants in commercial products, are
bioaccumulative, persistent, and associated with several adverse health outcomes.
The NGOs insist that "for chemicals that are carcinogenic, persistent or
bioaccumulative, the time for precautionary action is now".
In addition, registration will be required for all those with a tonnage of above one metric ton a year which are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or having reproductive toxicity (CMR) and most of those categorized as being persistent,
bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent or very
bioaccumulative (vPvB).
Dioxins are
bioaccumulative and can cause cancer, birth defects and organ failure.