Tuesday 2 May 2023

Countries consider banning ‘forever chemicals’ to curb pollution

More than 2,000 delegates from different countries have come together for a UN conference, discussing how to slash pollution generated by chemicals.

‘Forever chemicals’ could be banned through the Stockholm Convention, which is a global treaty set to protect human health and the planet from chemical pollution.

Forever chemicals don’t break down in either the environment or human bodies and can be found in a range of daily products.

Pesticides are also being discussed, alongside plastic and e-waste.

Discussions have become more pressing since the release of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) research, revealing that some of these chemicals have led to the death of two million people.

This need to ban certain substances conflicts with the market trends, however, with chemical sales expected to double from 2017 levels to 2030.

The meeting is taking place in Geneva, where a final decision could be made.