Study finds widespread illegal trade of hazardous chemicals

A joint research team from Switzerland and China has found that nearly half of the total trade volume of hazardous chemicals subject to an international convention crosses national borders illegally. “This prevalent illegal trade is highly concerning because it undermines global efforts to protect us and our environment from hazardous chemicals,” said Zhanyun Wang, lead researcher on the study at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research. + Is 100% organic a revolution too far? The study, published on Monday in the journal Nature Sustainability, looked at the trade of 46 of the 54 chemicals covered by the Rotterdam Convention signed in 1998 to ensure the safe movement of hazardous chemicals such as mercury and various pesticides across borders. Under the convention, trade of the chemicals is only allowed if an importing country consents to their import – a measure intended to prevent the uncontrolled import of toxic chemicals by countries that lack...