LibGuides: EU Chemicals: Impact of chemical pollution on the environment and health

Article

Considering the cumulative risk of mixtures of chemicals – A challenge for policy makers (published: 2012)
This paper provides an overview of the main methodologies available today to estimate the human health risk of environmental chemical mixtures.

Systematic evidence maps as a novel tool to support evidence-based decision-making in chemicals policy and risk management (published: 2019)
The concept of a systematic evidence map (SEM) is defined and contrasted to the function and limitations of systematic review (SR) in the context of risk management decision-making. The potential for SEMs to facilitate evidence-based decision-making are explored using a hypothetical example in risk management priority-setting.

Knowns and unknowns on burden of disease due to chemicals: a systematic review (published: 2011)
Continuous exposure to many chemicals, including through air, water, food, or other media and products results in health impacts which have been well assessed, however little is known about the total disease burden related to chemicals. This is important to know for overall policy actions and priorities. In this article the known burden related to selected chemicals or their mixtures, main data gaps, and the link to public health policy are reviewed.

Environmental impact assessment of chemical plant protection in intensive crop production (published: 2017)
The study aimed to assess the environmental impact of chemical plant protection on the environment in an intensive crop production. This was conducted in a large-scale farm, located in the Wielkopolska voivodeship (Poland), in the years 2010-2013.

Study to collect recent information relevant to modernising EU Occupational Safety and Health chemicals legislation... (published: 2019)
The EU legislative framework that addresses occupational exposure to Carcinogenic, Mutagenic and Reprotoxic substances includes Directive 98/24/EC (Chemical Agents Directive, CAD) and Directive 2004/37/EC (Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive, CMD). All reprotoxic substances are currently dealt with in the CAD and those that are also Carcinogenic or Mutagenic (C/M) 1A/1B are also within the scope of the CMD.

Study on the cumulative health and environmental benefits of chemical legislation (published: 2017)
A large body of chemicals legislation has been implemented by the European Union since the late 1960s. This body of legislation has addressed, both directly and indirectly, a range of human health and environmental risks posed by chemicals, through a variety of means, as expert understanding of those risks and the uses of chemical substances has evolved. This study draws together a huge body of evidence – on the risks posed by chemicals, and on the legislation implemented, to try to address the risks.

Priorities for improving chemicals management in the WHO European Region—stakeholders’ views (published 2020)
Prevention of the impact of chemicals on human health and the environment is an increasing focus of public health polices and policy makers. The World Health Organization European Centre for Environment and Health wanted to know what were stakeholders’ priorities for improving chemicals management and prevention.