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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

Factsheet with background information on the Chemicals and Waste Management Programme (Special Programme), including objectives, impact and long-term outlook.

Perflourinated Chemicals (PFCs) are the key ingredient in many stain, water and grease repellent coatings that make outdoor jackets water tight and frying pans non sticky. These chemicals consist of long molecules that contain carbon chains surrounded by fluorine. That bond between carbon and fluorine is incredibly tight. They interact so strongly with each other that the normal, inter-molecular forces, that cause substances to stick to each other, don’t stand a chance.While some types of PFCs are either safe or

Pharmaceuticals are chemicals we specifically design to act on living cells. They regulate, in organisms, hormonal balance and the way it metabolizes its nutrients. Pharmaceuticals even change the way signals travel between cells. In order to work, many drugs have to resist the stomach’s acid environment, so the compounds can reach their destination inside the body. That’s why they are formulated to degrade very slowly or not at all. When active pharmaceuticals pass through our bodies and enter the environment

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

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.

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.

An Independent Evaluation of SAICM over the 2006 to 2015 period (SAICM/IP3/INF/3) was conducted to assess the degree by which SAICM has delivered on its 2020 goal. It finds that SAICM made significant progress in a number of areas in terms of strengthening capacity, commitment, technical knowledge and political will to implement and mainstream chemicals into national planning. However, the evaluation also reconfirms the findings of the Global Chemicals Outlook II, that SAICM’s objectives and 2020 goal would not be