An array of toxic man-made chemicals which currently form an integral part of the global food production system are driving increased rates of cancer, cutting fertility rates, and damaging the environment, a major report warns.
The resulting impact of these highly unregulated synthetic chemicals is huge – with a global health burden of around $1.4–$2.2 trillion a year, equating to roughly 2−3 per cent of global GDP or about equal to the combined annual profits of the world’s 100 largest publicly listed companies.
Synthetic chemicals such as PFAS, the so‑called “forever chemicals” now pervasive across the natural world, are inflicting environmental damage so severe that they are eroding agriculture and the very natural capital on which societies and global economies rely, the report says.
Nonetheless, most of the environmental damage being done is largely undocumented with the economic peril it presents being difficult to accurately quantify.
“Even a narrow accounting of ecological impacts – meeting water safety standards for PFAS and pesticides plus agricultural losses – implies costs of at least $640bn per year worldwide,” the authors said, adding that “these figures are conservative”.
Meanwhile, the impact of synthetic chemicals’ on human fertility is now “undermining the long-term foundations of economic and social resilience”, the report said.
“If current exposure persists, there could be 200–700 million fewer births globally between 2025 and 2100 – at the high end, equivalent to the entire population of Southeast Asia.”
然而，要摆脱我们对危险化学品使用的依赖是困难的。
报告警告说，它们“深深根植于现代食品系统中”。“它们被有意用于化肥和农药、加工辅助设备，以及包装和涂层中。它们还会因化学反应或分解产物而无意中进入食物系统;或因土壤、水或空气污染而产生的污染。”
这份名为隐形成分聚焦于四大主要化学基团——邻苯二甲酸酯、双酚、农药和PFAS——这些化合物都通过全球食品系统影响人类健康、生态系统和经济稳定。
分析发现，在这四类有毒化学品中，“采取行动的好处远远超过”不作为的成本。
报告强调减少农药依赖将带来远超避免伤害的益处，指出癌症、代谢疾病和神经发育障碍的减少将减轻人类健康负担。与此同时，“随着传粉者和自然捕食者的恢复，生态韧性将增强，降低长期害虫压力”。
报告称：“土壤健康将改善，增强碳汇，并通过再生实践带来气候和生物多样性的协同效益。”
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