Resolution calls on World Health Organization Member States to increase work on potential human health impacts of plastics, links between chemical exposures, and health; recognizes people are exposed to many chemicals but majority have not been well studied
Biodegradable polyactic acid does not degrade in marine environment, study finds
NGO calls out top 12 PFAS producers
ChemSec reports on societal costs of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution; estimates costs of 16 trillion euros per year; says producers and investors need to take responsibility
UNEP: Over 3000 chemicals of concern in plastics
Technical report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) informs about “chemical-related issues of plastic pollution and options to address them”; finds 13,000 chemicals present in plastic; 7,000 have hazard data of which 3,200 are chemicals of concern; outlines chemical groups, use sectors of concern, human and ecosystem exposure, gaps and improvement options including substitution and waste management in a circular economy
Report outlines how plastic production harms human health, environment, economy
Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health publishes extensive report summarizing plastics’ effects across life cycle on human health, environment, and the economy; health effects cost society hundreds of billions every year; report includes actions for “governments and industries to minimize the negative consequences of global plastic contamination”
Forever Pollution Project maps Europe’s PFAS contamination
Media collaboration evaluates Europe’s contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); maps 17,000 known and 21,000 presumed contamination sites; ChemSec launches PFAS guide for companies
Developing the science-policy panel on chemicals and pollution
National delegations meet in Thailand to discuss the objectives and responsibilities of the new science-policy panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention; in run up to the meeting group of chemical pollution scientists publish article highlighting ten aspects for delegates to consider; non-profit academic organization International Panel on Chemical Pollution hosts webinar on conflicts of interest in chemicals and waste governance