LEAD has been used in everything from plumbing to paint since the days of the
Roman Empire, but from next March it will be illegal in Denmark鈥攖he first
country to attempt such a ban. The Danes are phasing out products containing 50
or more parts per million of lead. The decision ignores the European
Commission鈥檚 advisers, who say that such a ban would be ineffective.
Lead is a nerve poison and high levels in the environment cause brain damage
in children. Europe plans to eliminate leaded automotive fuel by 2005, but
Denmark says levels of lead in its citizens鈥� bodies are increasing because of
lead in products such as plastics, building materials, ceramics and crystal
glassware.
In June, the European Commission鈥檚 scientific committee on toxicology said
banning products would not significantly prevent harm. Eurometaux, the
association of European producers of non-ferrous metals, says any limits should
be based on product-by-product risk assessment. But Danish environment minister
Svend Auken defends the lead ban. 鈥淔orbidding its use in a few [products] is not
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