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The term nanomaterials refers to materials that have at least one dimension (height, width or length) that is smaller than 100 nanometres (10−7 metre), which is about the size of a virus particle. This particular size dimension represents a major characteristic of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs). The unique properties of MNMs may result in highly desirable behaviour leading to such varying applications as better paints, better drugs and faster electronics. However, for the same reason, MNMs may also present health hazards

A Tough Story of Leather analyses the situation for workers in the Italian tanning industry.This report has been produced by Centro Nuovo Modello di Sviluppo (CNMS) and the Campagna Abiti Puliti in 2016. This research, which forms part of the Change your Shoes project, focuses on the so called Leather Republic: the Santa Croce District. This report has been produced by Centro Nuovo Modello di Sviluppo (CNMS) and the Campagna Abiti Puliti in 2016. A Tough Story of Leather analyses

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.

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.

Used Vehicles and the Environment - A Global Overview of Used Light Duty Vehicles: Flow, Scale and RegulationMillions of used cars, vans and minibuses exported from Europe, the USA and Japan to low- and middle-income countries are hindering efforts to combat climate change. They are contributing to air pollution and are often involved in road accidents. Many of them are of poor quality and would fail road-worthiness tests in the exporting countries.A landmark, first-of-its-kind United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report

This WHO technical report focuses on reviewing the risks to human health associated with exposure to trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals in drinking-water. Pharmaceuticals are synthetic or natural chemicals that can be found in prescription medicines, over-the-counter therapeutic drugs and veterinary drugs. Pharmaceuticals contain active ingredients that have been designed to have pharmacological effects and confer significant benefits to society. Traces of pharmaceuticals, typically at levels in the nanograms to low micrograms per litre range, have been reported in the water

This document done by a group of experts for the United Nations Environment Programme and World Health Organization provides the global status of scientific knowledge on exposure to and effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).The work is based on the fact that endocrine systems are very similar across vertebrate species and that endocrine effects manifest themselves independently of species. The effects are endocrine system related and not necessarily species dependent. Effects shown in wildlife or experimental animals may also occur

The Weybridge+15 (1996-2011) technical report of the Europrean Environment Agency. Rates of endocrine diseases and disorders, such as some reproductive and developmental harm in human populations, have changed in line with the growth of the chemical industry, leading to concerns that these factors may be linked. For example, the current status of semen quality in the few European countries where studies have been systematically conducted, is very poor: fertility in approximately 40 % of men is impaired. There is also

Plastics have become one of the most ubiquitous materials used globally, and global production has on average increased by about 9% per year since 1950.The plastic industry has become a major economic actor with revenue of about 1,722 billion Euros in 2015. The issue of plastics ending up in the oceans and harming marine lifeforms has been known since the 1970s. Research focusing on the impacts associated with exposure of organisms to marine micro and macroplastics has been ongoing for

World Environment Day took place on 5 June 2020 and the theme this year was biodiversity. SAICM celebrated by creating an infographic on how chemicals and waste can impact biodiversity and releasing an article on how we can do more to protect and help our planet's biodiversity flourish.