On May 8, 2023, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) published a technical report on chemicals in plastics. Besides UNEP, the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions help with the preparation together with lead authors from the International Panel on Chemical Pollution and other key experts. The 144 pages long document provides an overview of (i) chemicals in plastic highlighting ten chemical groups and use sectors of concern, (ii) the exposure of humans and ecosystems to these chemicals, (iii) the substitution of chemicals and plastics with more sustainable alternatives, and (iv) the management of plastic waste in a circular economy.
The report finds that more than 13,000 chemicals are associated with plastics and plastic production. Of these, 3,200 are of potential concern since they are associated with carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and/or ecotoxicity to aquatic organisms. However, only 7,000 of the 13,000 plastic-associated chemicals have been screened for their hazardous properties. Not enough is known about the remaining chemicals to categorize them as concerning or not.
Ten groups of chemicals of concern are highlighted with details of their application, exposure, toxicity, and regulation. These were considered most relevant “due to their toxicity and potential migration from plastics…. An emphasis here is on persistent chemicals and related groups and on substances that are regulated globally or in some countries.” Those groups are: flame retardants, ultraviolet light stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, toxic metals and metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).
The ten use sectors in the report are considered of particular concern because they are connected with high risk of exposure to chemicals of concern from plastics. One of the sectors is packaging including food contact materials.
Concerning actions “to reduce the chemical-related impacts of plastic pollution,” the authors emphasized the necessity of globally coordinated (regulatory) measures to contend with the planetary boundary threat (FPF reported). Moreover, UNEP stated that plastic production and consumption would need to be reduced and plastics free of chemicals of concern to be designed. Here, the authors emphasized conducting assessments to avoid regrettable substitutions. Furthermore, UNEP calls for capacity-building efforts and improvements in transparency along the entire plastic values chain (e.g, disclosure of chemical identity and quantities by manufacturers) as well as in hazard, exposure, and risk assessments. Additional challenges and knowledge gaps are identified such as the missing hazard information for many plastic additives and NIAS. Besides this, scattered information in the public domain was identified as another factor hindering getting a comprehensive overview of chemicals in plastics.
The report aims to inform about issues of plastic pollution that are related to chemicals and provides options to address them. It also intends to support the negotiation process to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution (FPF reported and here). Thereby it adds to previous publications that stressed the importance of integrating all chemicals contained in plastics in the UN treaty (FPF reported). Main findings were summarized duing the Sciences Webinar UNEP held on May 4, 2023.
Reference
UNEP (May 8, 2023). “Chemicals in Plastics: A Technical Report.”
