Well-attended Forum 2011
Protect the children better was the theme at this year's Forum for A Non-Toxic Environment, 17 November 2011. The conference attracted 300 participants at Norra Latin in Stockholm. The Swedish Chemicals Agency´s Director-General Nina Cromnier summed up the day by highlighting the pressing needs for the future: Developing legislation and improved information to consumers.
The Minister for the Environment, Lena Ek, visited the conference and expressed her thanks to all who are engaged in working for a non-toxic environment.
- I'm exceedingly pleased that KemI has been commissioned to strengthen the work towards a toxic-free everyday environment. Strong efforts must be made to reduce direct exposure to hazardous chemicals. Endocrine disrupters are a high priority for the Government and the cocktail effects need more research, said the Minister for the Environment.
Mrs. Ek also informed the participants of the fact that the Government the same day had made a decision concerning rules for hazardous substances in tattoo inks. On average, some 2,000 tattoos are made every day in Sweden - a public health issue if anything.
The day continued with seminars on various topics. Discussions were held about substances that are hazardous to health and how they can be avoided in new homes and public buildings, how toy retailers can gain knowledge and offer a range of products without harmful substances, examples of cosmetics and personal care products without causing the risk of allergy, clothes without toxic chemicals, baby food without residues of hazardous substances and the need for research and legislation on a toxic-free everyday environment for children.
The day concluded with a panel discussion. The members of the panel were Professor Åke Bergman, Stockholm University, Environmental Chemist Gudrun Bremle, Jönköping County Council, designer Annika Matilda Wendelboe, Peter Trillingsgaard from LEGO, Louise Ungert, Environmental Manager of the Consumer Association of Stockholm and Mikael Karlsson, who is chairman of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
Seminar documentation is available under the Swedish website. See recordings in Swedish of the presentations below.
Morning session in plenary, Pelarsalen, Norra Latin
Speech by Swedish Minister for the Environment, Lena Ek
Afternoon session in plenary, Pelarsalen, Norra Latin
Breaking-up session, young dancers from Lasse Kühler´s dancing school
