The latest edition of Private Eye (No 1163) carries a story about a development of houses built above a former paint factory in east London.

Potentially carcinogenic chemicals used in the manufacture of paints have contaminated some of the houses, with the worst-affected residents found to have a series of industrial chemicals in their blood stream. The magazine goes on to reveal how the victims have also suffered from a variety of illnesses including asthma, kidney problems, food intolerance and trouble with their memory.

This is a prime example of just how important the EU’s forthcoming legislation on chemicals, REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) will be.

As the story in Private Eye illustrates, large amounts of chemicals are used in everyday materials without us knowing exactly the effects they can have on us, though it is strongly suspected they are a cause behind the rise in cases of asthma, allergies and the drop in sperm counts.

REACH legislation will require all producers and importers to register the chemicals used in their products and make clear how they are to be used safely.

An intended consequence of the legislation is to increase competition within the chemical industry by encouraging companies to produce safer and safer chemicals.

Testing the vast majority of chemicals used in Europe will obviously be a costly exercise but this is where the EU comes into its own. With the cost split between 25 countries this necessary task becomes affordable and brings priceless health benefits to Europe and beyond.

The second reading of REACH goes before Parliament in autumn and, if as expected goes through, will be a monumental step in preventing cases like the one in Private Eye from occurring.

To read more about REACH I suggest visiting the following websites:

Commission's guide to REACH: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/reach/reach_intro.htm

Women's Institute lobby page: http://www.womens-institute.co.uk/campaigns/chemicals-c.shtml