The banned substance hexachlorobenzene has again been found in fireworks sold on the Swedish market. This conclusion is made by the Swedish Chemicals Agency in a recent analysis.
In the autumn of 2011 twelve fireworks were analysed. Three of them contained high levels of the banned substance hexachlorobenzene (HCB).
A previous analysis of fireworks made in the autumn and winter of 2010-2011 showed that six out of eight fireworks contained hexachlorobenzene.
The present follow up analysis is made to reach out to more importers on the Swedish market. It is also part of a larger EU project coordinated by the CLEEN network. Eight other EU Member States participate in the project that aims to enhance regulatory compliance and to reduce the risks associated with hexachlorobenzene by removing products that contain this substance.
The substance is prohibited
Hexachlorobenzene is regulated by EU Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants (POPs Regulation). According to this regulation, it is prohibited to produce, market or use hexachlorobenzene, as a substance, in preparations or as a constitutent of articles. Hexachlorobenzene has previously been found in fireworks in analyses made in Denmark and Austria.Hexachlorobenzene is a so-called POP substance. POP is an acronym for Persistent Organic Pollutants, POPs. Hexachlorobenzene is carcinogenic, very persistent in the environment and toxic to aquatic organisms. Today, no specific provisions exist concerning violations of the POPs Regulation but the Swedish Ministry of the Environment is currently preparing such legislation.
The companies that imported the fireworks in question have been contacted and informed about the analytical results. The Swedish Chemicals Agency has requested particulars on how large quantities of the fireworks the companies have imported and sold, and when the last import was made. Companies have also had the opportunity to comment on the circumstances surrounding the high levels of hexachlorobenzene found.
