They can be found in textiles, mascara or children’s toys: the international community wants to make the use of chemicals safer worldwide in the future. From Monday, government delegates as well as representatives of the chemical industry, trade unions, environmental associations and the World Bank will discuss at the World Chemicals Conference in Bonn in order to find global rules.
According to Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, it is high time. “In addition to the climate crisis and the crisis of species extinction, the pollution crisis presents us with massive challenges,” said the Green politician. “Chemicals and their waste are major causes of this third planetary crisis.” In the period from 2000 to 2030, the production of chemicals is expected to have quadrupled.
To date, the rules for dealing with chemicals have varied widely around the world. For example – unlike in Germany – the toxic heavy metal lead is still used in some regions.
The so-called PFAS will probably also be a topic in Bonn. These are man-made chemicals that are used in many areas. They make textiles breathable and water-repellent, paper dirt, grease and water-repellent and improve the spreading properties of fire extinguishing foam. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), most of the well-studied substances are considered to be medium to highly toxic. A possible ban on this group of chemicals is therefore being discussed in the EU. Germany and other countries had proposed almost completely banning the production, use and marketing of PFAS. (dpa)