IPEN Participating Organization Arnika, based in the Czech Republic, recently found concentrations of toxic substances in several samples of commonly available summer shoes and drinking glasses. Chemical analysis was commissioned of footwear and printed glasses, and DEHP and DiBP, which are phthalates especially hazardous for human hormonal and reproductive systems, were found in the shoes, as well as lead. Children's shoes specifically were tested, because children are particularly vulnerable to the hazards of phthalates and heavy metals.
Florence, Italy. Some toys that are designed to exercise the mind may contain toxic chemicals from recyled electronic waste, which can damage the central nervous system and reduce children’s intellectual capacity.
IPEN (a global civil society network promoting safe chemicals policies and practices) and Arnika (an environmental organization in the Czech Republic) aired this observation following the announcement of the results of a global survey on toxic chemicals in brain toys at a scientific conference on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Florence, Italy.
(Beijing, China) High levels of dioxins and similar dangerous pollutants were found in free range chicken eggs samples taken close to waste incinerators and other industrial hot spots in six localities in China, according to a new study released today. Chicken eggs are an important part of the Chinese diet, and the study warned that contamination found in the egg samples represents a serious threat to the public health of populations living in these locations.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, Ram Charitra Sah, Director of IPEN Participating Organization Center for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED), was presented with the Environment Conservation Award 2016 by K.P. Sharma Oli, Rt. Honorable Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The award recognized Mr. Sah's work for environment conservation and protection of public health.
IPEN representatives are currently attending the 10th Basel Convention Open-Ended Working Group meeting (OEWG-10) in Nairobi, Kenya. A range of issues are being discussed, including Low POPs Content Values for POPs waste, which is a critical issue for preventing the spread of POPs into consumer products and the environment.
IPEN Participating Organization Eco-Accord has released a new publication entitled "New Persistent Supertoxicants and Their Impacts on Human Health." It was prepared and published as a collective monograph and a survey in the relevant and developing field of eco-toxicology and analytical chemistry of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
The monograph provides an introduction into the problem of analysis, monitoring and human health impacts of persistent organic pollutants listed in the Stockholm Convention on POPs, since 2009.
The United Nations Environment Programme called marine plastics the “new toxic time- bomb.” Marine plastic is not only entangling and drowning wildlife, it is being mistaken for food and ingested along with its toxic contaminants. Marine plastics, and, in particular microplastics, provide a global transport medium for the most toxic chemicals into the marine food chain and ultimately, to humans.