Scientists Identify 4,200 Plastic Chemicals of Concern and Highlight Safer Approaches

Scientists identify 4,200 plastic chemicals of concern and highlight safer approaches

Countries are currently negotiating a global treaty to end plastic pollution and make plastics safer and more sustainable. Plastic chemicals are a core issue because all plastics, from food packaging to car tires, contain hundreds of chemicals that can leach into foodstuffs, homes, and the environment.

Enormous inventory of plastic chemicals could shape safer future use

If plastics are to be made more sustainable, they must first be made safer in terms of the chemicals they contain and release. A comprehensive inventory of more than 16,000 known plastic chemicals, including particularly problematic ones, supports scientists and stakeholders in understanding and improving the safety of plastics. Of more than 16,000 known chemicals found in plastics, one-quarter are potentially hazardous.

Plastic pollution treaty: business roundtable statement

A statement of ambition on upcoming plastic pollution treaty negotiations signed by leading businesses and financial institutions. On 24 June 2025 Defra held a roundtable ahead of the second part of the fifth session of negotiations to agree a global plastics treaty (INC-5.2).

Identifying Chemicals of Concern in Plastics - and Pathways Towards Safer Polymers

BYLINE: Empa Newswise — Plastics are everywhere, and the chemicals they contain are a core issue: All plastics, from food packaging to car tires, contain hundreds of chemicals that can leach into foodstuffs, homes, and the environment. Many of these are known to harm the health of humans and the environment. However, a comprehensive overview of these chemicals is currently missing, which limits society’s ability to protect people and planet from…

Identifying chemicals of concern in plastics – and pathways towards safer polymers

To curb global plastic pollution and to make plastics safer and more sustainable, countries are currently negotiating a global treaty. A new study published in Nature provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of all chemicals that can be present in plastics, their properties, uses, and hazards. Moreover, the study also provides a scientific approach for identifying chemicals of concern. This allows scientists and manufacturers to develop …