Published on: 2026-09-14
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 14, 2026 Climate and Environment
Improper handling of toxic chemicals and other hazardous waste threatens “many—if not all—human rights.” Such a statement was made on Monday at the Human Rights Council meeting by the newly appointed UN independent expert on chemical threats.
Ecologist and researcher Bethany Carney-Almroth, who took office in August, expressed particular concern about so-called “forever chemicals” – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are present in everyday consumer goods. Once they enter the environment, these synthetic compounds can persist there for centuries, and to date, there are no ways to clean ecosystems contaminated by them.
Impact at all stages of the life cycle
Exposure occurs at all stages of the chemical life cycle – they contaminate water, food, and consumer goods. This increases risks to the hormonal system, liver function, and human immunity. They are also able to penetrate the placenta, umbilical cord blood, and breast milk, which puts infants at risk during the most sensitive stages of development.
According to Karni-Olmrot, “forever chemicals” undermine the right to life, health, a favorable environment, safe working conditions, as well as access to information, justice, and legal remedies.
Consequences of toxic pollution
The consequences of toxic pollution are distributed unevenly, making the issue a “matter of global environmental justice.” The production of such substances is predominantly concentrated in industrialized countries, but they spread worldwide through emissions, trade, and transboundary movement of contaminated waste. Meanwhile, the most severely affected communities are those already facing poverty, discrimination, and marginalization, including women, children, indigenous peoples, and people of African descent.
Karni-Olmrot emphasized that a human rights-based approach involves examining not only the extent of pollution but also who is being poisoned, who benefits, who bears the costs, and who sets the rules.
The expert intends to strive for states, courts, and all interested parties to have access to reliable information about toxic pollution, which would enable more effective policy. She emphasized the need to protect independent science from conflicts of interest and misinformation.
“Science helps us identify harm,” she said. “Human rights explain why this harm matters, whose rights need to be protected, and who holds the responsibility. And the knowledge and experience of affected people enable us to understand which solutions will be effective.”
Independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. The experts act in a personal capacity and independently from governments and any organizations.
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