Pollution's Impact: Human Rights Under Threat

Air pollution has long been a pressing issue for human health and the environment, but it is also a human rights issue. According to the United Nations, air pollution leads to 7 million premature deaths a year worldwide, including 600,000 children. Air pollution violates the rights to life, health, and the rights of the child, and the right to live in a healthy and sustainable environment. While air pollution has devastating consequences globally, with marginalized communities among the most affected, it has been overlooked in many places. However, clear solutions to the problem exist, and viewing it as a human rights issue can empower people worldwide who have been fighting for their right to breathe clean air.

The right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is contravened by plastic pollution

Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to human health, violating the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. The toxic chemicals found in plastics have been linked to various physical ailments, including cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, developmental problems, and neurological disorders. Furthermore, the environmental damage caused by plastic contributes to eco-anxiety, particularly among young people, as they fear the loss of the planet's natural resources.

Physical Health

Plastic is one of the most pervasive materials on the planet, and its impact on human health is significant. At every stage of its lifecycle, from production to disposal, plastic contributes to pollution and poses risks to physical health. The toxic chemicals in plastic, such as phthalates, have been linked to an increased risk of various diseases and disorders. These include cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, developmental problems, and neurological disorders. For example, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are linked to infertility, obesity, diabetes, thyroid problems, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Additionally, children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of plastic, facing increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, birth defects, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer.

The production, use, and disposal of plastic result in air, water, and soil pollution, leading to environmental contamination and the accumulation of toxic chemicals in the food chain. Plastic waste management practices, such as incineration, also release toxic metals and organic substances into the environment, further endangering physical health.

Mental Health

In addition to the physical health risks, plastic pollution takes a toll on mental health. The environmental damage and climate change caused by plastic contribute to eco-anxiety, particularly among young people. Eco-anxiety refers to the fear of environmental destruction and the loss of natural resources. A study found that almost 60% of young people aged 16-25 from ten different countries were extremely or very worried about climate change. Over half reported feelings of sadness, anger, helplessness, anxiety, powerlessness, and guilt. Eco-anxiety can impair daily functioning and worsen pre-existing mental health conditions, and it is not limited to young people.

The toxic chemicals in plastic may also contribute to mental illness. Research suggests that chemicals like phthalates could increase the risk of developing depression, anxiety, ADD, or psychotic symptoms. Additionally, vulnerable populations, including unborn children, may be predisposed to developing mental illnesses due to exposure to toxins in plastics.

Addressing the Issue

To address the health impacts of plastic pollution and uphold the right to health, several measures must be taken. Firstly, there is a need for a lifecycle approach to plastic pollution, recognizing the complex and intersecting health impacts at every stage. This includes addressing the extraction and transport of fossil fuels, the refining and manufacturing processes, the use of plastic products, and waste management.

Secondly, there is a need for greater transparency and independent research on the chemicals used in plastic production. This will enable better informed decisions and policies to protect human health. Additionally, international cooperation and legal frameworks are necessary to ensure access to information, promote environmental democracy, and address the global plastic crisis.

Pollution can violate the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment

The United Nations General Assembly declared in July 2022 that everyone on the planet has a right to a healthy environment. This landmark decision is the result of decades of mobilization by various stakeholders. States must now implement their commitments and scale up their efforts to ensure a healthy environment for all.

The Impact of Pollution on Human Rights

Pollution, in all its forms, can have a detrimental impact on human health and well-being, and by extension, the realization of human rights. Air pollution, for example, has both short-term and long-term adverse effects and contributes to the causation of non-communicable diseases. Greenhouse gas pollution has led to climate change, which poses serious direct and indirect consequences for human and environmental health.

The Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment

The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is intrinsically linked to the enjoyment of human rights. This right encompasses both substantive and procedural elements.

Substantive Elements

The substantive elements of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment include:

• A safe and stable climate
• Access to safe water and adequate sanitation
• Healthy and sustainably produced food
• Non-toxic environments in which to live, work, study and play
• Healthy biodiversity and ecosystems

Procedural Elements

The procedural elements of this right include:

• Access to information
• The right to participate in decision-making
• Access to justice and effective remedies, including the secure exercise of these rights without fear of reprisals or retaliation

Global Efforts to Address Pollution and Promote Environmental Rights

Multilateral environmental agreements call for action to address the sound management of chemicals and wastes. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has developed an implementation plan, "Towards a Pollution-Free Planet," and recent United Nations Environment Assembly resolutions call for ambitious efforts to combat pollution.

Regional agreements on access to information, justice, and participation in environmental decision-making are also part of global efforts to address environmental injustice and promote environmental democracy.

The Role of Stakeholders

Various stakeholders, including states, international organizations, and business enterprises, have a responsibility to ensure the realization of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

UNEP emphasizes the need for sound management of chemicals and waste worldwide to achieve equality, justice, and human dignity for all. Additionally, knowledge and information sharing on environmental issues, as well as the engagement of vulnerable populations, are crucial.

Worker's rights must also be protected, including their right to information about the chemicals they use. It is essential to treat all workers who provide chemical products and waste management services with gratitude and respect, ensuring that they and their families are not indirectly punished through ill health and environmental degradation.

Placing human rights at the core of environmental issues is beneficial for everyone, regardless of their job or location. By prioritizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, we can ensure the protection of vulnerable populations and the global community as a whole.

The right to a decent standard of living is jeopardised by plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is a human rights crisis. The toxins released during the entire lifecycle of plastic products, from the extraction of raw materials to disposal, recycling, and incineration, have severe health implications for humans. Over 16,000 chemicals have been identified in plastic, with more than 4,000 of these being potentially hazardous and linked to serious health issues, including cancer, congenital disabilities, and fertility complications.

The right to a decent standard of living is notably jeopardized by plastic pollution in communities dependent on tourism or fishing. Firstly, plastic pollution in the ocean is causing fish stocks to deplete and delicate underwater ecosystems to be damaged, impacting people's ability to earn a living and feed their families. Tourism, another important source of income for many coastal communities, is also declining as plastic debris covers once-pristine beaches and coral reefs. This drives away potential visitors and puts local economies at risk.

Additionally, almost 97% of cities in low- and middle-income countries do not meet air quality guidelines, and residents are at an elevated risk of developing respiratory problems, skin irritations, and headaches. The proliferation of plastic and microplastics directly contravenes our right to the "highest attainable standard of physical and mental health."

Furthermore, plastic waste clogs drainage systems, exacerbating the risk of flooding, which is a serious problem in the face of extreme weather caused by the climate crisis. This physical danger further undermines the right to a safe environment.

To address these issues, it is crucial to support a strong and comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics and explicitly incorporates human rights principles. By acknowledging the human rights dimensions of plastic pollution and taking collective action, we can protect our right to a healthy planet for current and future generations.

The right to information is being compromised by the plastics industry

The right to information is a fundamental human right. However, the plastics industry often fails to respect this right, compromising people's ability to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

The plastics industry has been accused of running disinformation campaigns and misleading the public about the risks and solutions to plastic pollution. There is currently no obligation for manufacturers to disclose the chemicals used in their plastic products, which can make up over half of the final material. This lack of transparency has serious implications for human health and the environment.

For example, plastic contains over 16,000 chemicals, many of which are potentially hazardous and linked to cancer, congenital disabilities, fertility complications, and other serious health issues. Yet, consumers are unable to access information about the chemical makeup of plastics and their potential impacts on their health. This lack of information also hinders recycling efforts, as mixing and concentrating additives can create a "toxic cocktail" in recycled products.

The right to information about plastic pollution is particularly important for frontline communities exposed to pollution from refineries, petrochemical plants, and waste treatment facilities. These communities are often low-income and marginalized populations who bear the brunt of the health and environmental impacts of plastic pollution. Their right to information about plastic's dangers and their involvement in shaping plastic policies has often been denied.

To address this issue, advocates are calling for a strong and comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics and explicitly incorporates human rights principles into its framework. By acknowledging the human rights dimensions of plastic pollution and taking collective action, we can protect our right to a healthy planet for current and future generations.

Pollution disproportionately affects marginalised communities

Marginalised communities are among the most affected by pollution, which is now recognised as a human rights issue. The United Nations (UN) has declared that everyone has a right to a healthy environment, and that states must take action to ensure this right is respected, protected, and fulfilled. However, inadequate regulation and enforcement of environmentally destructive sectors of the economy, such as heavy polluting fossil fuel industries, drive human rights violations.

Health Impacts

Air pollution leads to 7 million premature deaths worldwide each year, including 600,000 children. The health impacts of pollution are particularly severe for marginalised communities. Low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of pollution-related illnesses, with a disproportionate impact on children, women, and the most vulnerable. Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause respiratory problems, skin irritations, and headaches, as well as heart disease, lung cancer, and neurological disorders including Alzheimer's.

Environmental Impacts

Pollution, particularly plastic pollution, also has severe environmental impacts, which in turn affect the livelihoods of marginalised communities. For example, plastic waste clogs drainage systems, increasing the risk of flooding, and plastic in the ocean prevents the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere, reducing the efficacy of the planet's biggest carbon sink. This exacerbates the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, which disproportionately affect marginalised communities.

Right to Information

Marginalised communities are often denied their right to information about the dangers of pollution and their right to participate in shaping policies to address it. For example, manufacturers are not currently obliged to disclose the chemicals used in plastic products, and there is no publicly available database of these chemicals. This lack of transparency has implications for human health and the environment, as it prevents independent scientists from testing and understanding the full extent of the risks.

Lack of Political Power

Marginalised communities often have limited opportunities to participate in decision-making and public debate on environmental issues, and they may lack access to independent courts to hold polluters accountable. For example, frontline communities exposed to pollution from refineries, petrochemical plants, and waste treatment facilities are often low-income and marginalised populations who lack a voice in decision-making processes.

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