Chemical pollution poses a threat to human and environmental health comparable to climate change, but lags decades behind in public awareness and action, a new report warns. The industrial economy has produced over 100 million synthetic chemicals, with tens of thousands in commercial use, yet their widespread contamination of the biosphere remains underappreciated.
The report, by Deep Science Ventures (DSV) and funded by the Grantham Foundation, links chemical exposure to a range of health issues including ADHD, infertility, and cancer. Harry Macpherson, senior climate associate at DSV, noted that many people assume rigorous safety checks exist for everyday products, but this is not the case.
More than 3,600 synthetic chemicals from food contact materials have been detected in human bodies, with 80 raising significant concern. PFAS 'forever chemicals' are found in nearly all humans tested, and rainwater in many areas contains unsafe levels. Over 90% of the global population breathes air exceeding WHO pollution guidelines.
The research highlights correlations between pesticide exposure and reproductive problems such as miscarriage and difficulty conceiving. It also criticises current toxicity testing methods, particularly for endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can have non-linear dose responses and cause harm at very low levels.
DSV, a venture creator focused on environmental and health challenges, aims to identify areas where innovation can address chemical pollution. Currently, funding for chemical toxicity research is a fraction of that for climate change, a disparity the report argues should be corrected.
