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Academic article

Chemicals of concern in plastic toys

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ScienceDirect

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October 2020

We present a list of Chemicals of Concern (CoCs) in plastic toys. We started from available studies reporting chemical composition of toys to group plastic materials, as well as to gather mass fractions and function of chemicals in these materials. Chemical emissions from plastic toys and subsequent human exposures were then estimated using a series of models and a coupled near-field and far-field exposure assessment framework. Comparing human doses with reference doses shows high Hazard Quotients of up to 387

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products

Topics: Chemicals in toys

Academic article

Occurrence, Treatment, and Toxicological Relevance of EDCs and Pharmaceuticals in Water

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International Ozone Association

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March 2008

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Over the past decade a great amount of interest has arisen regarding the occurrence and fate of trace organic contaminants in the aquatic environment. Of particular concern are human hormones and pharmaceuticals, many of which are ubiquitous contaminants in conventional municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents when measured with ng/L detection limits. As analytical procedures and bioassay techniques become more readily available and increasingly sensitive, new contaminants will be discovered. The presence or absence of any chemical in a wastewater effluent

Emerging Policy Issues: Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Pharmaceutical pollutants

Academic article

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the aquatic environment: implications for the drinking water industry and global environmental health

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IWA Publishing

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February 2009

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Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are a group of chemical compounds with diverse physical and chemical properties. Recent studies have indicated undesired effects of EDCs and PPCPs at their reported trace concentrations. This paper reviews the current knowledge on the sources, properties, occurrence and health impacts of EDCs and PPCPs, and their removal from drinking water using ozonation and ozone/hydrogen peroxide-based advanced oxidation. The paper also examines the potential threats posed by these chemicals

Emerging Policy Issues: Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Pharmaceutical pollutants

Academic article

Alternative societal solutions to pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

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ScienceDirect

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September 2020

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Environmental contamination with pharmaceuticals is widespread, inducing risks to both human health and the environment. This paper explores potential societal solutions to human and veterinary pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment. To this end, we adopt transition research’s multi-level perspective framework, which allows us to understand the dynamics underlying pharmaceutical emissions and to recognize social and technical factors triggering change. The authors' qualitative analysis is based on data collected through literature research and interviews with actors from pharmaceutical industry, the health

Emerging Policy Issues: Pharmaceutical pollutants

Academic article

Antimicrobial pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment - occurrence and environmental implications

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ScienceDirect

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November 2019

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The environmental occurrence of antimicrobial pharmaceuticals and antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistant genes has become a global phenomenon and a multifaceted threat. Integrated actions of many parties are needed to prevent further aggravation of the problem. Well-directed actions require clear understanding of the problem, which can be ensured by frequent revaluation of the existing knowledge and disseminating it among relevant audiences. The goal of this review paper is to discuss the occurrence and abundance of antimicrobial pharmaceuticals in the

Emerging Policy Issues: Pharmaceutical pollutants

Factsheets and brochures

Clariant playing a leading role in supporting the coatings industry to phase out lead in paints

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Clariant AG

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November 2020

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Media ReleaseAs one of the first companies to completely end the production, and supply, of lead-based pigments in the mid-1980’s (Hoechst AG – now Clariant), Clariant supported the Global Alliance to eliminate lead paint and, through regulatory and legal measures, accelerate progress towards its global phase out.To work towards this goal, Clariant is a supporter of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), hosted by UN Environment Programme, a global policy framework which aims to protect human health and

Emerging Policy Issues: Lead in paint

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

Factsheets and brochures

Gender mainstreaming in chemicals and waste policies

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HEJSupport International

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August 2020

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New Fact Sheet: Gender mainstreaming in chemicals and waste policiesGender equality is a core human rights and development issue, as highlighted in several international and regional human rights instruments, including those that are part of multilateral environmental agreements. Law-binding and voluntary agreements on chemicals and waste are no exception and play an essential role in increasing the participation of women and men in the management of chemicals and waste, while contributing to gender equality.The fact sheet includes examples of texts

Topics: Gender mainstreaming

Factsheets and brochures

Agroecology – a viable option to phase out highly hazardous pesticides in Ethiopia

June 2020

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Agriculture in Ethiopia is the foundation of the country's economy. In an effort to increase production and productivity, the agriculture sector puts the use of inputs like pesticides and fertilizers as driving forces.The use of agricultural inputs, including pesticides, was introduced to smallholder farmers from the 1960s through agricultural extension systems. Since then, pesticide use by smallholder farmers showed a steady growth. This increasing trend in the use of pesticides as part of a development plan poses threats to human

Emerging Policy Issues: Highly Hazardous Pesticides

Factsheets and brochures

Initiating Circularity for electronic waste in Nigeria: A promising paradigm for treating e-waste globally

January 2023

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Over half a million tonnes of discarded electronic appliances are improperly processed in Nigeria every year, threatening the country's environment and the health of approximately 100,000 informal workers in the recycling industry.
With support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Government of Nigeria has joined forces with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners to turn the tide on e-waste under the “Circular Economy Approaches for the Electronics Sector in Nigeria” project. Led by UNEP and supported by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency of Nigeria (NESREA), the $15-million initiative brought together players from the Government, the private sector, and civil society to design and operationalise a financially self-sustaining circular economy (CE) for electronics in Nigeria.
The project aims to stimulate a CE pilot through an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme that serves as a model for countries facing similar challenges. EPR is an integrated waste management approach that extends the responsibility of manufacturers to the entire lifecycle of their product, particularly to the end-of-life treatment. By applying this approach, the producers will be obliged to commission for collecting, pre-treating and recycling their originated e-waste.
The project creates synergies among pre-existing elements of an EPR system in Nigeria to establish a sustainable management system and financing mechanism for EPR implementation. Establishing and enforcing a sustainable approach in Nigeria with supporting regulations and legally binding requirements is expected to recover and re-introduce usable materials into the value chain, dispose of hazardous e-waste streams in an environmentally sound manner, and create safe employment for Nigerian e-waste workers.

Emerging Policy Issues: Hazardous chemicals in electronics

Topics: Chemicals in electronics E-waste Circularity

Country: Nigeria