77 resources found

Policy document

Compendium of WHO and other UN guidance on health and environment

This compendium provides a systematic compilation of published guidance from WHO and other UN organizations on health and environment. Guidance on policies and actions as well as awareness raising and capacity building interventions is presented for all major areas of health and environment. Guidance referring to priority settings for action such as cities and other urban settlements, housing, workplaces and health care facilities is also listed.For greater practical relevance, each guidance is classified according to principally involved sectors, level of
Policy document

Engaging the textiles industry as a key sector in SAICM: a review of PFAS as a chemical class in the textile sector

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Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
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May 2021
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The report examines the class approach for PFAS as it applies to the textile sector, which covers a wide variety of consumer products and connects two important issues covered in the SAICM context. The textile sector is an appropriate choice given the environmental significance of the sector and the scope of PFAS used within it. Both the quantity of PFAS in use and the variety of uses make this sector a priority for action. Furthermore, the nature of the sector—with
Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
Academic article

Exposure and toxicity characterization of chemical emissions and chemicals in products: global recommendations and implementation in USEtox

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Springer Nature
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April 2021
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Reducing chemical pressure on human and environmental health is an integral part of the global sustainability agenda. Guidelines for deriving globally applicable, life cycle–based indicators are required to consistently quantify toxicity impacts from chemical emissions as well as from chemicals in consumer products. In response, we elaborate the methodological framework and present recommendations for advancing near-field/far-field exposure and toxicity characterization, and for implementing these recommendations into the scientific consensus model USEtox.The present work was supported by the “Global Best Practices
Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
Academic article

Blood lead levels in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review

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Elsevier
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March 2021
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Since the global phase-out of leaded petrol, reports have suggested that lead exposure remains substantial or is increasing in some low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, few studies have attempted to systematically assess blood lead levels over the full range of LMICs. This study is aimed to describe values for blood lead level in LMICs.In this systematic review, PubMed was searched for studies published between Jan 1, 2010, and Oct 31, 2019, that reported blood lead levels in the 137
Emerging Policy Issues: Lead in paint
Policy document

Guidance on key considerations for the identification and selection of safer chemical alternatives

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March 2021
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The aim of the guidance is to advance broader agreement on a general approach and criteria for the selection of safer alternatives, with a focus on chemical substitution. It is intended to advance a consistent understanding of the minimum requirements needed to determine whether a chemical alternative is safer than the priority chemical, product, or technology for substitution, independent of the entity performing the assessment or the alternatives assessment framework being used.The guidance focuses on minimum assessment criteria and recommended
Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
Policy document

Key Messages on Human Rights and Hazardous Substances

Pollution is the largest source of premature death in the developing world, causing approximately three times more deaths than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined (2018 Report of the Lancet Commission on pollution and health). It disproportionately affects persons, groups and peoples in vulnerable situations reflecting both historical and ongoing discrimination, racism, and power imbalances that have given rise to powerful social movements for environmental justice. Those responsible for the harmful impacts of hazardous substances must be held legally accountable for
Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
Policy document

Pharmaceuticals in the environment

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December 2020
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Medicinal products are physiologically highly active substances that enter the water and soil, particularly through human and animal excretion. They are being detected in the environment to a greater and greater extent, often in concentrations that are not harmless to humans and other living organisms. The consumption of pharmaceuticals is increasing, mainly due to the aging of the population. Consequently, measures to reduce environmental pollution are therefore necessary.
Emerging Policy Issues: Pharmaceutical pollutants
Policy document

Eliminating Lead Paint: The Role of the Paint Industry

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October 2020
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The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a global policy framework which aims to protect human health and the environment from the unsound management of chemicals and waste. Since its inception in 2006, the voluntary and multisectoral and multistakeholder nature of SAICM has been viewed as one of its core strengths. SAICM provided a space for government and non-government actors alike to discuss and deliberate on the management of chemicals and waste.A key obstacle that has been limiting
Emerging Policy Issues: Lead in paint
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