When not safely managed and disposed of toxic chemicals and wastes can pollute the environment we live in and have harmful impacts on our health. Chemicals and waste can be toxic, cancerogenic, hazardous to reproduction and endocrine disruptive for all species. Their threats are greatest in countries with developing economies, where regulation and safety measures are not well established.
UNEP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have been working around the world for the past 30 years to address the issue of hazardous substances. Partnering with governments, other organizations and the private sector, UNEP and the GEF develop innovative projects that aim at eliminating and reducing levels of toxic chemicals like mercury and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). We also look at new issues, such as electronic waste, plastic pollution and chemicals in textiles.
Did you know?
UNEP hosts the Secretariat of two Chemicals Conventions, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, as well as the Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).
