Over 100 scientists and health professionals urge the Spanish Parliament and Government to ensure a toxic-free future

Our consumption is toxic. This was the stark message conveyed today by the representatives of over 100 scientists and health professionals who have signed the Toxic-Free Future Declaration. The initiative, led by the Rezero Foundation, calls for urgent action in response to the alarming exposure to toxic substances derived from plastics and other everyday products. The delegation presented their demands in the morning at the Spanish Parliament and in the afternoon at the Ministry of Health.

Toxic-free future

It is no coincidence that 70% of healthcare spending is allocated to addressing chronic diseases linked to environmental issues. Every day, we come into contact with products that, despite being on the market, are not safe. These petroleum-based products, commonly used in daily life, have a slow yet persistent toxicity. For over thirty years, leading scientists have been raising concerns, yet in recent decades, exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals in everyday consumer products—such as food, packaging, kitchen utensils, textiles, plastics, and cleaning and hygiene products—has continued to rise. This is because, among other reasons, the regulations governing the market are outdated.

For this reason, the Rezero Foundation, which first launched the Declaration in Barcelona last April, gathered today in front of Parliament alongside representatives of the over 100 scientists and health professionals who have signed the Toxic-Free Future Declaration. Their goal was to present the scientific evidence and urge political parties and the Ministry of Health to take immediate action and speed up the review of existing regulations.

“Governments must rise to the challenge and act to protect public health,” said Rosa García, General Director of Rezero.

Presentation of the Declaration to the speaker of Parliament

Alongside representatives from Rezero, the delegation included:

• Dra. Ethel Eljarrat, Director of the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC).
• Dra. Elena Codina, Head of the Environmental Health Unit at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona and representative of the Catalan Society of Paediatrics.
• Dr. Nicolas Olea, Professor at the Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, University of Granada.
• Dr. Juan Antonio Ortega, Coordinator of the Environmental Health Committee of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics, University of Murcia.

The demands outlined in the Toxic-Free Future Declaration were handed over and explained to the Speaker of Parliament, Francina Armengol. The delegation emphasised the urgent need to enforce existing regulations for all products on the market, regardless of their place of manufacture or whether they are sold physically or online.

The Speaker of Parliament stated that “without science, there is no legislation” and committed to discussing the matter with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Ecological Transition to accelerate measures aimed at eliminating toxic substances from consumer products.

Meeting with political party representatives

Later, the delegation met with representatives of political parties in the Spanish Parliament to highlight two key priorities: first, the need to update healthcare legislation with a broad planetary health perspective; and second, the urgent enforcement of the Waste and Contaminated Soils Act, which is currently stalled. Additionally, they stressed the importance of implementing the EU’s REACH regulation and the European Commission’s restrictions roadmap under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability across all products on the market.

MPs welcomed the information and committed to pushing for concrete measures during this legislative session.

Reasons for concern

Continuous exposure to toxic substances can have severe health effects, particularly endocrine disruptors, which have been linked to reproductive issues, neurodevelopmental disorders, diabetes, and various cancers, according to the World Health Organisation. Dr Elena Codina highlighted that “children are among the most vulnerable to toxic substances, yet they cannot choose their future.” She added, “We must apply the precautionary principle to safeguard the health and survival of future generations.”

“Toxic substances persist in the environment. We are still exposed to chemicals that were banned 30 years ago, and new toxic substances continue to be produced. Many of these persist even in recycled materials. Prevention is the only solution,” warned Dr Ethel Eljarrat.

“There is overwhelming evidence, and we have spent far too much public money on studies that keep pointing to the same problem. We need ambitious legislation that focuses on real solutions once and for all,” said Dr Nicolás Olea.

As Rosa García from Rezero explained, campaigners fought until the last moment to ensure that Spain banned bisphenol A and phthalates in food packaging under the 2022 Waste Act. Although the measure was partially successful—it would have been preferable to ban all bisphenols—no regulation has yet been enacted to enforce this ban.

Delegation also received at the Ministry of Health

Given the severity of the issue, it was no coincidence that the delegation’s final stop was at the Ministry of Health. “That 70% of healthcare spending goes towards managing chronic diseases caused by environmental issues,” reiterated Dr Juan Antonio Ortega, “is a clear sign that industry and the market continue to operate without proper regulation.”

The broad consensus behind the Toxic-Free Future Declaration is further proof of the urgent need for regulatory reform.

Download the press release (in Spanish)