|
|
| Toxic chemicals |
On this page:
Why work on toxics?
WWF-UK's work on toxics
WWF network's work on toxics
Why work on toxics?
There is not one animal or person on Earth - from a polar bear in the Arctic, a tree-frog in the tropical rainforest, to a newborn child anywhere - that has not been exposed to man-made industrial or agricultural chemicals.
There is now unequivocal evidence that a number of man-made chemicals have already caused serious damage to the health of wildlife and humans all over the globe. However, the full extent of the problem is unclear because only a handful of the many thousands of chemicals in everyday industrial and domestic use have been adequately tested.
WWF-UK
The WWF-UK toxics team is working achieve long-term changes by:
- lobbying governments, both nationally and internationally, to introduce bans and restrictions on the use of the most toxic and persistent compounds;
- working with manufacturers and retailers to phase out the use of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and other hazardous chemicals in their products;
- raising consumer awareness of the threat of EDCs and toxic chemicals.
These activities will create a demand for alternatives to toxic chemicals and put pressure on the chemical industry to phase out harmful substances and develop safer alternatives. This will, in turn, affect the wider environment by reducing the levels of toxic chemicals released, thereby protecting endangered spaces and species. The reduction of toxic chemical releases into the environment will improve the long-term health of wildlife and humans.
WWF network
WWF's toxics work in the UK forms part of the WWF global toxics programme, which has two main aims:
- to eliminate or reduce the most hazardous industrial chemicals and pesticides, with special emphasis on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and EDCs;
- to enable decision-makers - governments, industry, consumers - to make informed choices about toxic chemicals and their alternatives.
|
|
 |
Chemicals and Health campaign
WWF is working to reduce the threat of hazardous chemicals in our everyday lives by lobbying the EU for tough legislation.
Visit our Chemicals and Health Campaign website
Elizabeth Salter-Green
Toxics programme leader
Giles Watson
Toxics Policy Officer
WWF-UK
Panda House
Weyside Park
Godalming
Surrey GU7 1XR
t: 01483 426444
f: 01483 426409
e: info@wwf.org.uk |
|
WWF-UK > Research > Issues > Toxic chemicals
