The European Union is implementing a plan to reduce the most harmful chemicals through two main strategies on chemicals and the environment. Despite these efforts, projections show that the presence of chemicals and exposure to them will continue to pose challenges for both legislation and public health.
Every day, people in Europe come into contact with polluted air, contaminated food, and water, and are exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals contained in everyday products. Constant exposure to pollutants and certain chemicals is associated with a variety of health effects. Endocrine and neurological disorders, reproductive problems, and cancer are increasingly common in society.
Therefore, over the past few years, the European Union has taken regulatory action to restrict the use of the most hazardous chemicals and reduce exposure levels.
Two main strategies have been developed to this end:
1) Zero Emissions Action Plan
2) Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
Both strategies include reducing the use of pesticides and veterinary antibiotics by at least 50% by 2030 and striving for an environment free of toxic pollutants by 2050.
Despite progress in reducing emissions of some substances, progress in replacing the most harmful chemicals with safer alternatives is inconsistent and difficult to implement in practice. Selected substances, such as heavy metals, bisphenol A, and PFAS, still exceed safe levels in human bodies in much of Europe and pose a potential health risk.
The outlook for the coming years shows a mixed picture – regulations may limit exposure to some chemicals, but cumulative exposure to complex mixtures, the increasing production and import of new substances, and gaps in toxicological data continue to pose a public health challenge.
Source: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/europe-environment-2025/thematic-briefings/environment-and-human-health/chemical-pollution-and-human-health
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