State of the
science
on plastic
chemicals
Identifying and addressing chemicals and polymers of concern
Read the Report
Full report and chemicals database now available
Chemicals are a central aspect of the plastics issue. Although there is a wealth of scientific information on plastic chemicals and polymers to inform policymakers, implementing this evidence is challenging because information is scattered and not easily accessible. The PlastChem report and database address this issue by comprehensively and consistently synthesizing the state of the science on plastic chemicals, including their hazard properties, and their presence in polymers. The state-of-the-science report provides the publicly available evidence to inform policy development that protects public health and the environment.
Download the Press Release
A virtual launch event for the report took place on March 14, 2024. Hosted by the Geneva Environmental Network, the event featured presentations by the report’s authors and discussed key findings and policy recommendations. A recording of the event will be published on the event website.
About the project
The PlastChem project aims to address the fragmented understanding of the chemicals in plastics and their impact on health and the environment. This initiative has created a high-quality, comprehensive state-of-the-science report synthesizing the evidence about chemicals in plastics to inform an evidence-based policy development for better protecting public health and the environment.
Objectives of the PlastChem project include:
- Compiling a thorough overview of all known plastic chemicals.
- Identifying plastic chemicals of concern and linking them to specific polymers.
- Prioritizing plastic chemicals based on hazard, and other scientific, regulatory, and market data.
- Synthesizing scientific evidence to guide informed policy development.
Key activities of the project include consolidating data on over 15 000 plastic chemicals from various sources, compiling hazard and other information, and identifying and prioritizing plastic chemicals and polymers of concern. The evidence will be compiled in the publicly available PlastChem database. A unique feature of the project is its focus on groups of chemicals, linking chemicals of concern to plastics, and integrating leachate toxicity to cover unknown chemicals and their joint effects. This comprehensive analysis will help with prioritizing chemicals and polymers of concern, which is critical for a circular economy.
The project’s collaborative approach, involving an advisory board and regulatory experts, ensures that the outcomes are aligned with policy needs. The final report and database serve as key resources for developing policies that support a non-toxic environment, aligning with the UN’s global plastic treaty goals.
Funding
Project team
- Martin Wagner and Laura Monclús (coordinator, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway)
- Hans Peter H. Arp (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Oslo, Norway & Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway)
- Ksenia Groh (EAWAG: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Zurich, Switzerland)
- Mari Engvig Løseth (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Oslo, Norway)
- Jane Muncke and Lisa Zimmermann (Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland)
- Zhanyun Wang (Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland)
- Raoul Wolf (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Oslo, Norway)