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A variety of chemical substances used in plastic production may be released throughout the entire life cycle of the plastic, posing risks to human health, the environment, and recycling systems. Only a limited number of these substances have been widely studied. 

This article from Helene Wiesinger, Zhanyun Wang and Stefanie Hellweg systematically investigates plastic monomers, additives, and processing aids on the global market based on a review of 63 industrial, scientific, and regulatory data sources. In total, it identifies more than 10,000 relevant substances and categorizes them based on substance types, use patterns, and hazard classifications wherever possible. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of thousands of synthetic chemicals that are used throughout society. However, they are increasingly detected as environmental pollutants and some are linked to negative effects on human health.

This page from the European Chemicals Agency provides background on PFAS chemicals and their use in a number of products, including construction materials, paints and chrome plating.

On 13th January 2023, the European Commission issued a proposal that would ban the manufacture and use of PFAS chemicals, including those used in building materials. 

The details of the proposed restriction of around 10,000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are now available on ECHA’s website. ECHA’s scientific committees have begun to evaluate the proposal in terms of the risks to people and the environment, and the impacts on society, in accordance with the below timeline.  A six-month consultation began in March 2023 and will close on 25 September 2023.

Document: Consultation on a proposed restriction on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

The Green Science Policy Institute's page on building materials, linking to background information on issues with PFAS, and halogenated flame retardants in insulation.

This report gives a summary of a research project which aimed to identify less hazardous alternatives to methylene chloride in formulated paint stripper products, and to align alternatives with the California Safer Consumer Products regulations.

This report gives a summary of a research project which aimed to compare the health and environmental impacts of  plasticizer alternatives to phthalates now in use in PVC building products. The report recommends the most effective phthalate alternatives.

This report gives a summary of a research project which aimed to identify and assess environmentally safer chemical alternatives to flame retardants commonly used in furniture foam.

This article reports on the outcome of an African regional workshop on generating support for phasing out lead in paint. The workshop recommended a lead limit of 90 ppm. In Nigeria, the 90 ppm lead standard has been in place since 2016 and a roadmap on lead paint elimination and management has been adopted.