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Microplastic contamination of the marine environment is widespread, but the extent to which the marine food web is contaminated is not yet known. The aims of this study were to go beyond visual identification techniques and develop and apply a simple seafood sample cleanup, extraction, and quantitative analysis method using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry to improve the detection of plastic contamination.This method allows the identification and quantification of polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and poly (methyl methacrylate) in the

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.

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

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a global policy framework which aims to protect human health and the environment from the unsound management of chemicals and waste. Since its inception in 2006, the voluntary and multisectoral and multistakeholder nature of SAICM has been viewed as one of its core strengths. SAICM provided a space for government and non-government actors alike to discuss and deliberate on the management of chemicals and waste.A key obstacle that has been limiting

UN Environment Programme and Open Universiteit have created a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Marine Litter as a key activity of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (you can join the GPML). It is also part of the Clean Seas Campaign. The course starts on October 26, 2020. It is free for all students and available in 10 different languages. You can still enroll until November 15. Register here!Marine litter is a global problem that affects every ocean of

This document has been developed as part of a project to accelerate progress towards the establishment of legally binding controls on the manufacture, sale, distribution, import and use of lead paint in countries, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by the Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). It is a contribution to the work of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (the Lead Paint Alliance). The Lead Paint Alliance is a voluntary

Adverse effects of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) on people and the environment have been a global concern for many years. In 2006, this was clearly expressed by the FAO Council when it recommended a progressive ban on HHPs. The concern crystallized at UNEP’s Fourth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) in Nairobi in 2012, with the submission of a conference room paper supported by at least 65 countries and organizations. The proposed resolution included supporting “a progressive ban on HHPs

The SAICM Secretariat, in partnership with the University of Cape Town, established a community of practice on Chemicals in Products to bring representatives from different sectors together and to create a learning network around issues related to addressing Chemicals in Products (CiP). This is a summary of the discussion on Mapping session of Chemicals in Products Globally, which took place on 17 September 2020.Presenters: Sandra Avérous Monnery (UNEP), Wenjia Fan (UNEP)The aim of this discussion was to learn about how

The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have launched a Community of Practice (CoP) on Chemicals and SDGs to bring representatives from different sectors together and to create a learning network around issues related to addressing Chemicals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is a summary of the discussion on Brainstorming implementation of gender mainstreaming into national policies for the sound management of chemicals and waste, which took place

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