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Pollination is the transfer of pollen between the male and female parts of flowers to enable fertilization and reproduction. The majority of cultivated and wild plants depend on animal vectors, known as pollinators, to transfer pollen. However, other means of pollen transfer such as self-pollination or wind-pollination are also important. Pollinators comprise a diverse group of animals dominated by insects, especially bees. More than 75% of the leading types of global good crops are visited by animal pollinators, such as

On International Women’s Day, the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury launched a video on how women are more negatively impacted by mercury and what needs to be done to better protect, support and promote gender equality. watch the videoThe Minamata Convention tackles mercury throughout its entire life cycle, fighting gender issues every step of the way. This includes supporting gender-specific trainings and helping implement National Action Plans with a gender perspective -- with special focus on the problem

We use a wide variety of chemical compounds to prevent living organisms from damaging crops and spreading diseases like malaria. These compounds are collectively termed pesticides. These days the majority of pesticides have low to moderate acute toxicity. But despite their many positive developments, there remain a small but significant group of Highly Hazardous Pesticides that cause illness and environmental damage.Not only because they are very toxic, but also because they remain active for a long time after being released

Unearthed and Public Eye analysed more than USD 23bn of agrochemical sales data for 2018 - about 40% of the global market - to identify sales of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). Across 12 groups analysed, those shown here accounted for more than four out of every five dollars spent on HHPs.

The SAICM Secretariat, in partnership with the University of Cape Town, established a community of practice on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) to foster discussions, exchange of best practices, and recommendations to address HHPs amongst relevant stakeholders. This is a summary of the discussion on Examples and case studies on strategies for identifying HHPs from different perspectives, which took place on 16 September 2020.Presenters: Dr Richard Brown (WHO), Dr Halshka Graczyk (ILO), Dr Keith Tyrell (PAN-UK), Dr Christoph Neumann (CropLife International)

Presence of Phthalates in Baby DiapersThe use of disposable diapers have been the standard for baby hygiene for many years.Among polymers used in diapers Phthalates are generally used as plasticizers and catalysts for the polymerization. Phthalates provide flexibility & durability to these polymers because of which they are used in the manufacturing of diapers.As Phthalates have been characterized as an endocrine disrupting chemical, the use of Phthalates in the diapers raises concern of possible health impacts on children.

Video animation explaining why mercury and, in particular, mercury in skin lightening products is dangerous to health and the need for countries to take action to ban this source of exposure.