Issue Novel chemical mixtures and endocrine disruptors as new health challenges

Summary

The report identifies the effects of novel chemical mixtures as a long-term uncertainty. Such mixtures, including endocrine disruptors, act on a range of hormone functions and could give rise to new health problems. The report judges that although understanding of pollution is improving, much is still unknown about what happens when people are exposed for long periods to complex pollutant mixtures. Chronic exposure, even at low doses, can cause bioaccumulation and is a major risk factor for many diseases. PFAS chemicals have already turned up in human and animal blood across the world. The report classifies emerging contaminants such as PFAS, nanomaterials, pharmaceuticals and industrial pollutants as one form of pollution.