Donald Trump’s proposed low regulation America looks set to roar ahead of sclerotic Europe and socialist basket case Britain. But there is one field in which European Union rules are way ahead of the USA – protecting the people from chemicals which are known to be extremely dangerous, but whose use is very profitable for corporations and the big business elite. One of the grave dangers of the Starmer regime’s trade deal with the USA is that we really don’t know how far Britain will end up moving away from the EU rulebook on Forever Chemicals (one of the few good things to have emerged from Brussels) and allowing in US corporate poisons. A number of products and chemicals permitted in the United States are banned or restricted in the European Union due to health concerns, particularly infertility, birth defects, and diseases such as cancer. One of the most dangerous groups of such chemicals are the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) which we examined earlier in this series. These are used in things such as non-stick cookware and water-repellent fabrics. PFAs are carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors, linked to cancers (kidney, prostate, testicular), decreased fertility, and developmental issues in children. To allow such dangers to persist and spread is not sensible deregulation which makes the economy more efficient, it is a crime against the American people. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set national limits for six PFAS types in drinking water, and states like Minnesota have passed laws restricting unnecessary uses, there is no sign of a federal ban. The European Union, by contrast, is working towards a broad ban on PFAS chemicals. The contrast is even more stark with atrazine. This herbicide is an endocrine disruptor associated with reproductive issues, including infertility and birth defects. The dangers are so clear that atrazine was banned in Europe way back in 2004. In the U.S., extensive lobbying by agri-chemical giants, led by Syngenta, led to a 2020 EPA decision to allow its continued use, with only minor restrictions around use near waterways. Despite the clear dangers, there is at least a case for the very careful use of atrazine, since it undoubtedly does boost food production. No such mitigation, however, is possible when it comes to the use of Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial). This reproductive toxicant, with potential links to infertility, was banned in the European Union (EU) back in 2022. In the USA, this poison remains in widespread use as a fragrance ingredient commonly found in personal care products. We previously explored the dangers of phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and durable, and widely used in food packaging. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors linked to hormonal disruption, endometriosis, asthma, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. Still in widespread use in America, the EU has banned or restricted a range of them. Our Daily BreadThe most remarkable difference in regulation, though, is when it comes to our daily bread. Potassium Bromate is an oxidizing agent used in bread and flour to improve dough strength and rise. Classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, potassium bromate has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals, particularly affecting the kidneys and thyroid.
Studies link potassium bromate consumption with renal toxicity and damage, indicating potential risks to human kidney health. Exposure to potassium bromate can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Banned in the EU, Canada and many other countries, it remains legal in the U.S., although many responsible bakers have voluntarily stopped using it. The potassium bromate which continues to poison other American bread is produced by various chemical manufacturers. Notable producers include UK-based Celtic Chemicals Ltd and Nexchem Ltd. Both companies are privately owned by Brits, unlike the other big supplier, Bromate Chemicals, which is located in China. But the sorry story of America’s daily bread doesn’t end there. Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is a chemical compound used as a dough conditioner in the baking industry. Occupational exposure to ADA has been linked to respiratory problems, including asthma and other allergic reactions. The International Programme on Chemical Safety noted that ADA is a human asthmagen, and exposure can lead to respiratory sensitization. When ADA is used in baking, it breaks down into dangerous compounds such as semicarbazide (SEM) and urethane. SEM has been found to cause cancers of the lung and blood vessels in mice. Urethane is recognized as a carcinogen. Despite these health concerns, ADA is still permitted for use in food products in the United States, although banned in the European Union, Australia, and several other countries. Thyroid Cancer LinkThe final known big issue is Red Dye No. 3 (Erythrosine). This is a synthetic dye used to color foods, beverages and drugs. Its links with thyroid cancers led to the FDA banning its use in cosmetics and externally applied drugs in 1990. Red Dye No. 3 is implicated in hyperactivity and other behavioral problems in children, including ADHD. There are also concerns over allergies, neurological effects and a broader range of cancers. The worries are so grave that the U.S. is scheduled to catch up with the long-standing EU ban, with manufacturers required to remove it from products by January 2027. Many of Donald Trump’s deregulation plans are welcome common sense. But Americans must be vigilant that the corporate lobbyists do not exploit this, in order to profit from the poisoning of America. And Brits do as well, because, in this case, a move away from Europe is a move towards corporate poisoning! Nick Griffin Beyond the Pale is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. If you appreciate my work, but aren’t yet ready to become a paid subscriber on Substack, perhaps you’d feel good at least buying me a coffee. “Many a mickle maks a muckle”, as my ancestors on my fairly remote Scottish side would have said. Thank you! “Buy Me a Coffee” HERE |
