Highly persistent toxic waste threatens ‘many, if not all, human rights’

Poor management of toxic chemicals and hazardous waste threatens “many, if not all, human rights,” the newly appointed independent human rights independent expert on the rising threat told the Human Rights Council on Monday. Bethanie Carney Almroth – an environmental scientist and researcher in the field who took up her post in August – expressed particular concern over so-called “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS) which are found in everyday consumer products.Once released, these synthetic chemicals can remain in the environment for centuries, and there is currently no way of removing them from contaminated ecosystems, according to a recent UN report. Exposure occurs throughout the chemicals’ lifecycle – from production sites to contaminated water, food and consumer products – raising risks to hormone systems, liver function and immune function. PFAS can even cross the placenta and have been detected in umbilical cord blood and breast milk, exposing people at particularly sensitive stages of development, the report stressed.Ms. Carney Almroth noted that PFAS impair the right to life, health, a healthy environment, a safe and healthy working environme...