Chemicals in plastics must be addressed as part of ongoing global action to combat plastic pollution, according to a new report published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The report emphasizes that such chemicals are often overlooked and provides the current state of knowledge on chemicals in plastics. The report aims to inform the global community about chemical-related issues of plastic pollution with respect to their adverse impacts on human health and the environment, and on resource efficiency and circularity.
The report,’Chemicals in Plastics: A Technical Report’, aims to catalyze action to transition to safe and sustainable material cycles. It indicates such a transition needs to involve all stakeholders along the plastics value chain, including regulatory authorities, industries involved in plastic manufacturing and use, waste managers and recyclers, scientists from multiple disciplines, and consumers and the general population.
Detailing potential areas for action, the report aims to support the negotiation process to develop an instrument on plastic pollution, and outlines publicly available scientific studies and initiatives focused on chemicals in plastics and the science-policy interface.
The report further identifies ten priority use sectors where chemicals of concern have been found in plastic products, including toys and other children’s products, packaging (including food contact materials), electrical and electronic equipment, synthetic textiles and related materials, furniture, building materials, medical devices, personal care and household products, and agricultural/aquaculture/fisheries plastics.