16,000 known chemicals in plastic production, 4,200 classified as highly hazardous, necessitating tighter regulation and influencing the UN's Global Plastics Treaty process.

A new report by European scientists funded by the Norwegian Research Council reveals that there are 16,000 known chemicals used in plastic production, with 4,200 classified as "highly hazardous" to human health and the environment. The comprehensive catalog highlights the need for tighter regulation of plastics and their associated chemicals, which have been increasingly linked to numerous health risks. The UN Environment Programme is currently working to develop a Global Plastics Treaty by the end of 2024, and the report's findings will likely influence decision-making in this process.

March 14, 2024
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