| SUBSCRIBE | MEMBERS AREA | JOBS

WHO on circular economy and health: opportunities and risks

Circular economy can be an opportunity for health enhancement, only if it is designed to reduce environmental impacts – hazardous substances should not survive in recycled products.

But if risks are not addressed in processes involving hazardous materials, a circular economy could also contribute to the chemical pollution and result in unintended adverse health effects.

This new WHO report explores the opportunities and risks of circular economy for health, helping to inform a crucial debate on the transition towards a healthy and sustainable economy.

Read the full report: Circular economy and health: opportunities and risks

Related Posts

A BPA ban in food contact materials is good news for health – but further restrictions of bisphenols in other consumer products needed 

The ban of BPA in food contact materials will help protect people from these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), that have also been classified as toxic for reproduction since 2006 under REACH. Exposure to Bisphenol A and other bisphenols is associated with breast cancer, infertility, early puberty, diabetes and obesity, and neurological disorders in children.  But this restriction focuses on one area where bisphenols are widely used – the work to protect people's health from the group of chemicals, and in particular children is therefore far from over.

Press note: Clean-up and health-related costs of PFAS pollution in Europe amount to billions– an EU-wide restriction is crucial

Press note: The Forever Lobbying Project investigation finds that the clean-up of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in Europe could cost 100 billion euros annually. Health-related costs for PFAS exposure are estimated to reach up to 84 billion euros annually. With these revelations, combined with the mounting scientific evidence on PFAS’ grave health impacts, it is clear that the European Commission must ensure a robust EU-wide PFAS restriction and come up with a plan to address these costs as part of the Clean Industrial Deal.

Back To Top