Scientists bid to defuse row over PVC ban

Date: 30/03/2000

By Renée Cordes

TWO leading scientists on the EU's toxicity committee who attacked the European Commission's decision to ban some toys containing phthalates late last year have moved to distance themselves from their original remarks.

Committee chairman James Bridges and head of the phthalates working group Professor Erik Dybing hit the headlines when they wrote to the Commission expressing "very serious concern" over the decision and accused the EU executive of "gross misuse" of the committee's opinions on phthalates to justify its action.

The three-month emergency ban, which has since been extended, was introduced amid concern that the softening agents in some toys intended to be sucked on by children could cause long-term damage to the liver, kidney and testicles.

The scientists, who claimed they spoke on behalf of the entire committee, argued at the time that the panel's opinion had been misquoted, with the potential risks of some of the substances overstated. But they have now written to European Parliament environment committee chairwoman Caroline Jackson admitting that they may have gone a bit too far in their initial criticism.

In a letter circulated by the UK Conservative MEP to committee members last week, the scientists said they had not had the chance to consult colleagues before writing the letter and added that "in retrospect, our concerns may have been over-strongly expressed in the private note".

Their comments come as MEPs are discussing whether to support extending the emergency measure and subsequent permanent ban. In a preliminary debate last week, Swedish centre-right MEP Per-Arne Arvidsson, the Parliament's rapporteur on the issue, urged the environment committee to "move ahead quickly" in its discussions.

Two leading scientists on the EU's toxicity committee who attacked the European Commission's decision to ban some toys containing phthalates late in 1999 have moved to distance themselves from their original remarks.