European Parliament calls for ban on toxic chemicals in recycled plastics
The European Parliament is calling for the banning of toxic chemicals in recycled plastics.
Recycled plastics are often used to make footwear and floor coverings.
However MEPs say the chemicals involved pose a health risk to workers and may be responsible for making male foetuses sterile.
Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan says she is particularly worried that the EU allows the use of so-called endocrine disrupters.
"This one is a chemical that would be used in PVC, that would be used in medical devices, and it has been shown that it can leech into the blood of humans and also into the fatty tissues.
"So it's deeply concerning that the commission wants to authorise this chemical, lots of NGOs who are opposed to its authorisation have shown that there are cost effective PVCs that can be recycled and that there's no need for this chemical."
