Plasticizers are found in everything we eat, use, drink, and even dust in our daily lives. What should people do? The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) announced today that it will increase the intensity of plasticizer regulation within one to three months. As for waste management, to prevent the release of dioxins, it has been announced that PVC, PVDC, and other materials will be banned from household products such as cling film starting from January 1, 2013.
As the plasticizer scandal continues to spread, the Environmental Protection Administration says the best way to avoid it is to "reduce plastic." People should try to avoid using plastic bags and other plastic products when handling food.
Plasticizers were originally classified as Category IV toxic chemical substances. The Environmental Protection Administration stated that the domestic regulatory intensity is in line with that of Europe, the United States, Japan, Canada and other countries. However, a meeting was held yesterday and it was decided to upgrade plasticizers to Category I for regulation, adopting a positive list approach. All other known phthalates will be included in Category IV for regulation.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) decided yesterday to reclassify DEHP and DBP from Category IV to Category I and II toxic chemicals; DMP from Category IV to Category I toxic chemicals; and newly announced BBP as Category I and II toxic chemicals; DINP, DIDP, and DEP as Category I toxic chemicals. All phthalates other than the above seven and DNOP (a total of eight) are now classified as Category IV toxic chemicals. The EPD expects to issue an announcement within a week and implement the changes after completing the procedures within one to three months.
Environmental Protection Administration Director Shen Shih-hung stated that the management of plasticizers will be strengthened in the future. As for the destruction of the seized products, six sewage treatment plants in the north, central and southern regions have been selected to centrally treat the liquid parts, while the solid parts are sent to incinerators for destruction to avoid secondary pollution.
Regarding cling film, the Environmental Protection Administration announced in September last year, based on the perspective of waste management, that starting from January 1, 2013, it would prohibit the use of cling film in households, or the sale of cling film containing PVC or PVDC materials by retailers such as hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, shopping malls, consumer cooperatives, grocery stores, or stores without physical stores.
This draft announcement will be finalized only after reaching a consensus through an expert panel meeting and going through procedures such as public hearings.
[Reported by Hsiao Chieh-yun, Taipei, Taiwan Awakening News]
