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 wastes threatens “many — if not all — human rights.” This statement was made on Monday at a meeting of the Human Rights Council 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 the so-called “forever chemicals” – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are present in everyday consumer goods. Once released into the environment, these synthetic compounds can persist there for centuries, and to date, there are no methods 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 capable of penetrating 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 concentrated predominantly in industrialized countries, but they spread worldwide through emissions, trade, and the cross-border movement of contaminated waste. Meanwhile, the communities most severely affected are those already facing poverty, discrimination, and marginalization, including women, children, indigenous peoples, and people of African descent.
Karni-Olmrot emphasized that the human rights-based approach involves studying 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 ensure that governments, courts, and all stakeholders have access to reliable information about toxic pollution, which would enable more effective policy-making. 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 should be protected, and who holds the responsibility. And the knowledge and experience of affected people allow us to understand which solutions will be effective.”
Independent experts are appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. Experts act in a personal capacity and independently of governments and any organizations.
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