One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste

Abstract

The chemical pollution crisis severely threatens human and environmental health globally. To tackle this challenge the establishment of an overarching international science–policy body has recently been suggested. We strongly support this initiative based on the awareness that humanity has already likely left the safe operating space within planetary boundaries for novel entities including chemical pollution. Immediate action is essential and needs to be informed by sound scientific knowledge and data compiled and critically evaluated by an overarching science–policy interface body. Major challenges for such a body are (i) to foster global knowledge production on exposure, impacts and governance going beyond data-rich regions (e.g., Europe and North America), (ii) to cover the entirety of hazardous chemicals, mixtures and wastes, (iii) to follow a one-health perspective considering the risks posed by chemicals and waste on ecosystem and human health, and (iv) to strive for solution-oriented assessments based on systems thinking. Based on multiple evidence on urgent action on a global scale, we call scientists and practitioners to mobilize their scientific networks and to intensify science–policy interaction with national governments to support the negotiations on the establishment of an intergovernmental body based on scientific knowledge explaining the anticipated benefit for human and environmental health.

The EU chemicals strategy for sustainability: an opportunity to develop new approaches for hazard and risk assessment

“…We should be flexible and prepared to take up the scientific challenges and collaborate productively with regulatory institutions to address the identified challenges and modernise chemical risk assessment. This is also in line with the concern of many scientists that chemical pollution and the wide range of adverse effects on human and ecosystem health demand additional efforts on a global scale (Brack et al 2022 ; Wang et al 2021 ). We see the CSS as a European strategy that, in concert with other initiatives, may open new opportunities to minimise hazardous chemical pollution and thus risks to human health and ecosystems.…”

Toward Assessing Absolute Environmental Sustainability of Chemical Pollution

“… 7 While few chemicals are considered to have global effects, the combination of local-to-regional impacts across the wide range of released chemicals may irreversibly disrupt biodiversity at the global scale. 8 , 9 , 100 Therefore, a sustainable chemicals management requires consideration of local and regional chemical impacts. 10 Figure 1 outlines some of the planetary boundaries that chemicals affect, along with the adverse outcomes they contribute to.…”

Advancing Knowledge to Reduce Lead Exposure of Children in Data-Poor Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…Opportunities to advance knowledge creation in data-poor locations that address the unique, local, and complex aspects of an important global environmental health concern are identified. While we acknowledge the harmful impacts of lead on the environment and the call to advance global knowledge production related to adverse impacts of chemicals in non-data-rich regions has been raised by others, lead remains a major detriment to human health and well-being. Thankfully, global trends are promising, with age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years rates owing to lead exposure decreasing in 181 of 204 countries from 1990 to 2019 .…”