Trend Metal pollutant exposure remaining a global challenge

Summary

Among its short-term trajectories, the report expects that exposure to metal pollutants such as lead, zinc, aluminium and copper may remain an especially difficult problem worldwide. It explains that long exposure to pollutants at low levels can still cause bioaccumulation and is an important risk factor for many diseases. Contaminated food is another route by which pollutants can threaten health, as shown by the link between fertiliser cadmium and higher osteoporosis rates in several EU countries. Soil pollution lowers fertility and yields and costs the UK 1.2 billion pounds a year. Children, older adults and people with underlying conditions are the most vulnerable to pollution. The report judges that much about the effects of long-term exposure to complex pollutant mixtures has yet to be understood.