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WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH?

Chemical Pollution

Human-generated chemical pollution threatens global health, ecosystem balance, and humanity’s long-term survival.

Chemically active materials are discharged into the environment in massive quantities each year, including the introduction of newly synthesized chemicals. Human exposure to chemicals increases with the growth of chemical-intensive industries, including construction, agriculture, electronics, cosmetics, mining, and textiles. We come in contact with chemicals through the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Industrial chemicals have been detected in populations of all ages across the globe and in plants and animals worldwide.   

The presence of hazardous chemicals and other pollutants (e.g., microplastics and pharmaceutical pollutants) impacts human health,  biodiversity, and ecological integrity. Chemical pollutants have been tied to a broad range of health concerns, including cancers and respiratory illnesses; and diseases of the cardiovascular, central nervous, and renal systems. Recent studies have also focused on the impacts of exposure over time to low levels of pollutants on human reproduction, cognitive health, and food security.  

Empty plastic carton sits on the sand next to a dirty ocean shore.

“We cannot live without chemicals. Nor can we live with the consequences of their bad management.” -Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UN Environment

Chemical Pollution Resources

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Arsenic in aquatic ecosystems: Sources, risks, remediation, and governance in India with respect to global significance. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution.

Chemical Pollution Nutrient Overloading and Cycling

Arsenic in aquatic ecosystems: Sources, risks, remediation, and governance in India with respect to global significance. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution.

The contamination of groundwater with arsenic is a global concern, threatening ecosystems and human health. In India’s Indo-Gangetic plains, researchers found high arsenic levels from natural and human sources are linked to skin lesions and cancer. Improved monitoring systems and community-engaged water governance are needed to promote safe drinking water.

• Research & Reports

Raut, S.M., Sarma, K., Lataye, D.H., et al.

Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances predicts multimodal brain structural and functional outcomes in children aged 5 years: A birth cohort study. The Lancet Planetary Health.

Life Stage and Reproductive Health Chemical Pollution

Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances predicts multimodal brain structural and functional outcomes in children aged 5 years: A birth cohort study. The Lancet Planetary Health.

• Research & Reports

Barron, A., Dickens, A.M., Tuulari, J.J., et al.

Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries monitors a world out of balance. Nature.
Values shown are for 2022. Social wedges (inner ring) show the status of humanity relative to minimum social standards and ecological wedges (outer ring) show Earth-system status relative to planetary boundaries.

Biodiversity Loss Chemical Pollution

Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries monitors a world out of balance. Nature.

A reimagined doughnut economics framework shows that over the past two decades, progress in meeting people’s basic needs has been slow, while environmental pressures continue to rise. The richest countries are responsible for over 40% of environmental impacts, while the poorest face more than 60% of social shortfalls, emphasizing the need for equitable economies that care for people and planet.

• Research & Reports

Fanning, A.L. and Raworth, K.

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