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Over the past few years the use of natural resources and the production of chemicals have increased dramatically – and a further increase is forecast. Whereas earlier the main focus was on local effects on health and the environment, in the meantime it has become clear that current ways of dealing with natural resources, chemicals and products manufactured from chemicals are threatening the biosphere as a whole.In 2009 and 2015 scientists introduced the concept of planetary boundaries. As part of

This WHO policy brief presents the consequences of lead exposure on human health and details its toxicity in the body system explaining why it is important to reduce the use and releases of lead, and to reduce environmental and occupational exposures, particularly for children and women of childbearing age.The policy brief also lists the sources of lead releases and contamination in industrial process, drinking water and domestic sources. The brief also gives guidelines for tolerable intake levels of lead and

This factsheet compiles the latest information on the effects of lead on human health. It is presented in the 6 UN languages.The factsheet lists the Key Facts, and describes the Sources and routes of exposure, the Health effects of lead poisoning on children, and the WHO response. The factsheet also points to relevant related websites.

The International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of action (ILPPW) takes place every year at the end of October. The objectives of the campaign are to raise awareness about health effects of lead poisoning; highlight countries and partners' efforts to prevent particularly childhood lead poisoning; and urge further action to eliminate lead paint through regulatory action at country level.The campaign website presents a multilingual campaign resource package, including posters, flyers, infographics, graphics and web banners in various formats, including an editable

Toxics Release Inventory Website Now Available in SpanishToday, EPA launched a Spanish version of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) website. Spanish-speaking communities across the United States, including those in Puerto Rico, will be able to use this new website to learn about chemical releases and other waste management in their communities—expanding their access to environmental information and making TRI data easier to access.This new website makes the most popular resources from the English version of the website available in Spanish

The World Health Organization is publishing a series of national case studies on the implementation of the WHO Chemicals Road map, which was adopted in World Health Assembly Decision 70(23).The case studies were developed by different Member States, including members of the Global Chemicals and Health Network. They illustrate the role the health sector plays in the sound management of chemicals, recognizing the need for multi-sectoral cooperation at a national level.The case studies concentrate on different actions of the road

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

Many countries and regions have set up regulatory and policy frameworks to achieve sound chemicals and waste management. In addition to national and regional efforts, the international community has taken concerted joint actions to address specific issues of concern, including chemicals that can be transported over long distances by wind and water, are transported through global trade in resources, products and waste, or are used or are present in many countries.Substantial progress has been made by the international community, including