UNEP Report Highlights Chemical Hazards of Plastic Pollution

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A recent report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights the excessive use of chemicals in the manufacture of plastics, which in turn could cause health risks to humans. The report notes that the associated health risks tend to be less visible, upon comparison with the plastic waste that litters the environment.

According to the report, over 13,000 chemicals associated with plastics and their production have been identified across various applications. Nearly ten groups of chemicals have been identified as major concerns due to their high toxicity. Among approximately 7,000 substances associated with plastics, nearly half have been identified with at least one or more hazardous properties.

The report calls for urgent action to address the use of chemicals of concern in plastics. There must be measures to reduce the use of plastics and most importantly, to regulate the use of hazardous chemicals in plastics. There must be proper updation of regulatory testing guidelines and improved transparency along the entire plastic value chain.

The report was prepared by UNEP in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions.