Pathways towards a strategy for a non-toxic environment Dr Hans Bruyninckx I 24 November 2016 I Towards a non-toxic future, Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark Pathways towards a strategy for a non-toxic environment

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Policy framework – 7th EAP ‘In 2050, we live well, within the planet's ecological limits. Our prosperity and healthy environment stem from an innovative, circular economy where nothing is wasted and where natural resources are managed sustainably, and biodiversity is protected, valued and restored in ways that enhance our society's resilience. Our low-carbon growth has long been decoupled from resource use, setting the pace for a global safe and sustainable society.’

How much risk from chemicals is society willing to accept? Risk  Hazard x Exposure Water Air Toxicity Food and packaging Consumer products Risk of chemicals can be expressed as a combination of hazard (harm, toxicity) and exposure (probability of harm occuring, or being in contact with hazardous substances) Toxicity can be evaluated by testing animals (in-vivo), cells (in-vitro), modelling (in-silico, e.g. QSAR) or associations can be made through epidemiological studies Exposures can come from many sources – the known chemicals (blue dots) are those that we have monitored for years; the emerging contaminants (dotted blue) are those we are starting to measure – but there are many more chemicals, natural and synthetic out there which we do not know of or do not measure, and whose toxicity might be unknown – but it would be very unlikely that they should have zero toxicity; so how much space/risk (white area) should be ‘left’ for the risk of these chemicals; and how much risk is society willing to accept? Human/env. health effects are caused by the sum of exposures to mixtures of chemicals Personal care products Pharmaceuticals Soil ... Source: GAHP

An evolving understanding of chemical risks single exposure combined exposure expansion of harm, lower thresholds Examples of the toxicity of lead Single exposure to multiple exposure – synergistic “cocktail effects” Harm expansion – mercury, lead, PCBs – lower thresholds considered safe - more diverse set of endpoints Lead: At high levels of chronic exposure, lead is a neurotoxic substance that attacks the brain and central nervous system, causing coma, convulsions and even death. At lower levels of exposure that cause no obvious symptoms and that were previously considered safe, lead is now known to produce a spectrum of behavioural disorders As well as renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs. Methymercury – transfer across the placenta first thought to be impossible – now recognised as a pathway for foetal exposure REACH has led to the re-classification of substances to include more endpoints Dose make the poison to low dose effects Also evidence of non-monotonic dose response curves for some EDCs - separate but related issue Synergistic effects of multiple stressors – chemical exposure, behavioural patterns, socio-economic factors e.g. children’s IQ: lead, mercury, PCBs, also socio-economic factors or Bee colony collapse: neonicotinoids, climate change, viruses toxic to the immune system and reproduction behavioural disorders neuro-toxic

Megatrend – increasing dependency on chemicals Global chemical production is increasing. How does this affect the environment and human health and resilience? Risk  Hazard x Exposure But the production of chemicals keep growing Source: SOER 2010, Global Megatrends

2014 EU production of toxic chemicals 326 millions tonnes total 63% hazardous to health 37% non-hazardous Benign by design Source: Eurostat, 2016

Chemical pollution and disease Source: http://www.gahp.net/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/SDG-graph-updated.jpg

7th EAP: Strategy for a non-toxic environment by 2018 Topics considered: A: Substitution, including grouping of chemicals & measures to support substitution B: Non-toxic products and clean material cycles C: Vulnerable groups D: Very persistent chemicals E: Policy means, innovation and competitiveness F: An R&D Programme on non-toxic substances G: An early warning system for new and emerging risks These are some of the topcis that will be investigated in support of a transition to a non-toxic environment How to combine high degree of recycling/reuse in the CE, with non-toxic material cycles staying clean over time?

What is the circular economy? Chemicals in the circular economy What is the circular economy? 11.5 tonnes of materials extracted in 2014 3.0 tonnes of material per person imported in 2014 Chemicals play a key role in enabling or disabling the circular economy: Producer responsibility Product longevity Multiple cycles Contamination/loss of resources and materials Optional : Solutions – the bigger picture Less input and use of natural resources minimised and optimised exploitation of raw materials, while delivering more value from fewer materials, reduced import dependence on natural resources, efficient use of all natural resources, minimised overall energy and water use. Increased share of renewable and recyclable resources and energy non-renewable resources replaced with renewable ones within sustainable levels of supply, increased share of recyclable and recycled materials that can replace the use of virgin materials, closure of material loops, sustainably sourced raw materials. Reduced emissions reduced emissions throughout the full material cycle through the use of less raw material and sustainable sourcing, less pollution through clean material cycles. Fewer material losses/residuals build-up of waste minimised, incineration and landfill limited to a minimum, dissipative losses of valuable resources minimised. Keeping the value of products, components and materials in the economy extended product lifetime keeping value of products in use, reuse of components, value of materials preserved in the economy through high-quality recycling. 0.3 tonnes of waste per person incinerated in 2012 2.2 tonnes of waste per person sent to landfill in 2012

NON-TOXIC ENVIRONMENT Transition towards a non-toxic environment NON-TOXIC ENVIRONMENT CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRANSITIONS SYSTEMS CHANGE These are some of the topcis that will be investigated in support of a transition to a non-toxic environment RISKS

Conclusions and opportunities Integration of policies across thematic areas would support management of risks and effects on human and environmental health. Combined transition to a circular economy and a non-toxic environment - opportunity to re-design products and processes. Evidence and narratives on environmental health and human well being; human bio-monitoring; costs and injustice as drivers for the transition.

Thank you Hans.Bruyninckx@eea.europa.eu Sign up to receive EEA news, reports and alerts on your areas of interest at http://eea-subscriptions.eu/subscribe eea.europa.eu