Cancer risk from controversial alcohol tests

Environmentalists warn against carcinogenic substances in alcohol tests

07/18/2012

In France, motorists in the future have to carry a device for alcohol tests. The constant availability of the alcohol test is intended to improve the possibilities of self-control and thus to prevent alcohol-related accidents. But as so often well meant here obviously the opposite of well done. Because the available alcohol tests contain carcinogenic substances, which can be a major problem especially in the disposal of Pusterohrchen, according to the latest release of the French section of the environmental organization Robin Wood.

In the land of wine drinkers, motorists have recently been obliged to carry alcohol testing equipment. Before driving, drivers can easily check their alcohol level with the help of the test and, in case of doubt, leave the vehicle stationary. The improved possibilities of self-control should lead to fewer people being drunk behind the wheel. In this way, legislators in France hope to significantly reduce the number of fatal car accidents, because in almost a third of these tragic events alcohol is involved. By comparison, in Germany only about ten percent of fatal car accidents happen under the influence of alcohol.

Take the alcohol test for self-control
Since the first of July 2012 motorcycle and motorists in France always have to carry a device for alcohol testing in the vehicle. Legislators are focusing on improving the self-control of vehicle drivers, although it is controversial whether this will actually have a positive effect on future accident statistics. Opponents of the new regulation assume that the measure will have little effect on the accidents. Not least because most drivers earlier even without the test was clear when they had too much wine, beer or schnapps Intus. They simply ignored this at the time and such behavior is not excluded when carrying an alcohol test. Here only a technical solution would help that makes it impossible to start the vehicle as soon as the permitted alcohol level is exceeded. However, the automobile manufacturers and the proposals of the French legislators are a long way from that.

Carcinogenic substances in the alcohol test
Instead, politics in France hopes for voluntary self-regulation. The obligation to carry the breathalyzer, which also applies to foreign motorists, actually had the consequence that at the beginning of the month, the approximately 1.50 euro expensive potholders were completely sold out in many places. Supermarkets, petrol stations and pharmacies came with the follow-orders hardly behind. According to media reports, first bottlenecks have also surfaced among suppliers. However, this could change abruptly in the coming days, after environmentalist organization Robin Wood warned of potential health hazards from alcohol testing. According to the president of the French section of Robin Wood, Jacky Bonnemains „Quick tests Potassium dichromate, a substance that is classified as carcinogenic and very toxic to aquatic organisms.“

Although there may still be no health risk when using the alcohol tests, the question of disposal arises at the latest. Because the contained carcinogenic substances enter the environment, threaten considerable health impairments for humans and animals. Therefore, the authorities have to ask themselves where the estimated approximately 80 million alcohol tests per year in France can be properly disposed of, explained the experts of Robin Wood.

Disposal of hazardous substances in France unclear
The French authorities have long been aware of the health risk posed by the substances contained in the alcohol tests. Not without round they have expressly pointed out that these by no means get into the hands of children and should therefore be kept safe in the car. Best in the trunk and not in the glove box.

However, the problem of disposing of the hazardous substances apparently was not considered further. The French Ministry of the Environment, for example, has now embarked on the subject, following the advice of Robin Wood, and is currently examining whether the tests must be treated as hazardous waste. If so, the authorities might say so „Mirror online“ However, new challenges arise as the disposal system for hazardous household waste is still under construction in France. The way in which waste such as paints, solvents, paints and possibly also the alcohol tests are to be disposed of is not yet clearly regulated in our French neighbors. (Fp)

Picture: Rainer Sturm