GEORGE TOWN, June 9 – A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recommended urgent global action to reduce plastic production and address chemicals in plastics to protect human health and the environment. The report, titled “Chemicals in Plastics: A Technical Report”, highlights the serious health and environmental threats posed by chemicals released throughout the life cycle of plastics. According to the report, about 22 million tonnes of plastics and chemicals from these plastics are released globally to the environment every year.
Most chemicals used or found in plastics can migrate or leach out over time, contaminating air, water, soils, and food chains, with consequent risks to human health. The report identified 10 groups of chemicals as being of major concern due to their high toxicity, as well as their potential to migrate or be released from plastics. These chemicals include specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilisers, PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols, biocides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and a range of non-intentionally added substances.
Chemicals from plastics have been found to be associated with a wide range of acute, chronic, or multi-generational toxic effects, including specific target organ toxicity, various types of cancer, genetic mutations, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, and ecotoxicity. The report calls for globally coordinated measures to reduce plastic production and address chemicals in plastics, warning that increasing production of plastics and associated chemicals will result in increasing pollution levels and associated environmental, social, and economic costs.
The report cautions that plastics carry toxic chemicals, and toxic chemicals from plastics are found in every corner of the planet, demonstrating the need for global chemical and plastic controls. The report suggests policy approaches for addressing chemicals of concern, through regulatory phase-outs and reductions in the use of chemicals identified by the SAICM global policy framework to promote chemical safety. It recommends that developing countries develop national regulations in coordination with global rules and other needs around chemicals in plastics and plastic waste.
The report has immediate significance for the upcoming Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Paris later this month. As acknowledged in the report, limiting plastic production will be a more effective solution to the plastics crisis. The Consumers’ Association of Penang has called on the Malaysian government to reduce plastic production and consumption, starting with non-essential plastics, and to promote the design and manufacture of toxic-free materials. In conclusion, the UNEP report highlights the urgent need for global action to reduce plastic production and address chemicals in plastics to protect human health and the environment.
The report calls for globally coordinated measures to address the serious health and environmental threats posed by chemicals released throughout the life cycle of plastics. The report provides policy approaches for addressing chemicals of concern and recommends that developing countries develop national regulations in coordination with global rules and other needs around chemicals in plastics and plastic waste.
