In a commentary article published on April 15, 2022, in the journal One Earth, Susanne M. Brander from Oregon State University, Newport, United States, discusses how and why humans and the whole planet are exposed to toxic chemicals. She calls for prioritizing health and shares her ideas to move forward.
Brander described that scientifically investigated chemicals with well-known hazards for human health are still present in daily used products, taking plasticizers in food packaging as an example (FPF reported and here). Moreover, the majority of chemicals on the market have not undergone regulatory testing. For instance, more than 80,000 chemicals have been registered for use in the United States under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) but just four have been banned. In autumn of 2021, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced procedural changes aiming to strengthen its review of new chemicals under TSCA (FPF reported) but the changes have yet to be implemented.
Brander stated that “today’s challenge isn’t a lack of knowledge; instead, we lack the regulatory will and research funding to support responsible chemical use.” She explained that funding encourages unrealistic testing, such as assessing chemicals one by one to determine safety thresholds, instead of encouraging the testing of chemical mixtures. Along that line, she also touches upon endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which can have transgenerational effects (FPF reported) and non-monotonic dose responses resulting in low-dose effects (i.e., they have no threshold) (FPF reported). Furthermore, the author thinks that instead of focusing efforts on recycling while still producing more stuff, the focus should be on producing less.
Brander concludes that profit has been prioritized “over global human health with a patchwork approach to chemical regulation,” arguing that “the best pathway toward a sustainable future” is “prioritizing the health of our planet and its people with a global agreement on reducing chemical and plastic pollution, while acknowledging that there is no ‘‘away’’ for pollutants and that there never has been.” She hopes that the resolution agreed upon in March 2022 at a meeting of the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) to limit plastic pollution by 2024 (FPF reported) will extend to the thousands of plastics-associated chemicals and “represent a gateway to the regulation of synthetic chemical production as a whole.”
Reference
Brander, S., M. (2022). “Rethinking our chemical legacy and reclaiming our planet.” One Earth. DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2022.03.020
Read more
Cristen Hemmingway Jones (May 2, 2022). “Scientists say it’s time to phase out plastics to stop sea of pollution.” EcoWatch
