Where to put the chemicals?

Most people will certainly agree that our environment is worth protecting. But how far should industry be regulated by law?

This is a question that is not always easy to answer, because in some cases very different interests are at stake. In the European Union, for example, regulation of certain chemicals, the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), is being discussed.

The impact of this decision would be huge, as there are about 10,000 PFAS that can be found in a variety of everyday objects: from pans, to contact lenses, to coatings for spectacle lenses. In the near future, their use may be banned. Environmentalists are already celebrating this as a milestone, but at the same time it also poses a challenge to industry. To learn more about the background to this topic, read the article on page 18.

Another important environmental topic, covered in this issue, which already concerns all labs, is how to handle hazardous waste. In the USA, for example, there are severe penalties for violating the current regulations on preventing contamination of the soil, air and water by harmful substances. In 2018 alone, optical labs were fined $750,000 for repeatedly discharging untreated wastewater containing cadmium, lead, acid lens cleaner, potassium hydroxide, and muriatic acid. Those that break the law do not always do so deliberately; sometimes it is simply down to ignorance. A good reason to learn more about this topic from the article by Roger Arrowood.

When it comes to the environment and politics, the right way is not always easy to find. It is good that not all topics are so controversial. For example, MAFO was at Vision Expo East on your behalf; an altogether successful event by all accounts.

We interviewed Roland Lorek from the market research institute GfK about current market trends and consumer sentiment.

Furthermore, we will introduce you to a new progressive lens design that does not require fitting height measurement, and you will also find out about the latest thinking on the topic of work organization.

But now please enjoy reading – and in the meantime, I am already thinking about the topics for the next issue.

And what subject areas are you actually most interested in? What should MAFO definitely report on? I am curious to hear your ideas! Just let me know and write an email to hanna.diewald@mafo-optics.com app.mafo-optics.com

Ivette Bruguera

Hartmut Fischer