Reporting by AFP shares the deadly reality of informal plastic recycling villages in Vietnam, where workers face toxic air, contaminated water, and widespread cancer linked to dioxins, lead, and other hazardous pollutants. www.yahoo.com/news/article...

A recent study shows that free-range eggs from five continents contain some of the world’s highest levels of highly toxic chemicals, including substances banned globally and others under consideration for global regulations. Read more: ipen.org/news/new-stu...

EcoWaste Coalition and IPEN Urge PH to Join Other Countries in Nominating Lead Chromates for Listing as Hazardous Chemicals in Rotterdam Convention: www.pressenza.com/2025/12/ecow...

IPEN release a statement on UNEA-7 this week. Read here: ipen.org/news/environ... IPEN expressed disappointment with the outcomes of the UNEA-7 negotiations, which ended with a weak resolution. This quote was shared by IPEN Co-Chair @ismawati17.bsky.social.

Last year, IPEN published, The Global Threat from Highly Hazardous Pesticides. This report provides an overview on the global spread and dangers of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). Download the report here: ipen.org/documents/gl...

Michelle Langrand at Geneva Solutions reports on the UNEA meeting in Nairobi and how the fate of stalled plastics treaty talks hangs over the meeting: genevasolutions.news/climate-envi... IPEN’s Björn Beeler shares that the Plastics Treaty “is a treaty about the future of fossil fuels…”

IPEN expressed disappointment with the outcomes of the UNEA-7 negotiations, which ended with a weak resolution that offers no policy actions to address environmental and human health threats posed by the mining sector. Read here: ipen.org/news/environ...

Mercury is used by miners in small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in a process called amalgamation. The ASGM sector is the primary source of mercury contamination globally, impacting millions of lives. IPEN Participating Organizations developed reports on ASGM in their countries: ipen.org/documents/me...

Rapport important sur les risques sanitaires et climatiques des combustibles dérivés des déchets (CSR). www.zerowastefrance.org/projet/mega-... @zerowastefrance.org @amisdelaterre.org @surfriderfrance.bsky.social @breakfreefromplastic.org @noplasticinmysea.bsky.social

Sean Mowbray in @mongabay.com reports that countries are increasingly promoting refuse-derived fuel (RDF), as a climate and waste solution, despite mounting evidence that burning it releases toxic chemicals and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions: news.mongabay.com/2025/12/boom...

Diese Woche findet die siebte Umweltversammlung der UN Statt (UNEA-7). Hier findet ihr das Briefing von IPEN in verschiedenen Sprachen, das ein Plastikabkommen fordert, das die Plastikkrise WIRKLICH ernst nimmt!

The Seventh United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA-7) is happening this week. Download our UNEA Briefing: Defending the Integrity of the Plastics Treaty Negotiations. It is available in English, español (Spanish), русский (Russian), français (French), and العربية (Arabic).

This map highlights original science, country-based data, and policy proposals to end the health and environmental threats from plastics: ipen-plastic-map.vercel.app. There are more than 145 publications in more than 85 countries, which are visualized in the map.

A recent report from GRID-Arendal and IPEN finds that three major types of plastic waste that are mostly exempt from global transparency rules pose significant threats to the environment and human health. Learn more: stoppoisonplastic.org/blog/plastic...

The Seventh United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA-7) takes place next week. IPEN has published our briefing for UNEA-7, clarifying the relationship between UNEA and the Plastics Treaty INC.: ipen.org/documents/un... It is available in English, español, русский, français, and العربية.

Judith Enck writes in TIME that plastic recycling was never designed to solve the pollution crisis, and the industry has known it: time.com/7337065/auto... Less than 6% of plastic waste in the US is recycled, while corporations continue to expand production and mislead the public with false claims.

ICYMI, last month, IPEN announced that Gohar Khojayan of Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) has been elected Co-Chair, joining Yuyun Ismawati of Indonesia’s Nexus3 Foundation, as Pamela Miller of ACAT steps down after two impactful terms: ipen.org/news/ipen-ge...

IPEN members will be attending the Seventh United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8 to 12 December 2025. Download our briefing for UNEA-7, clarifying the relationship between UNEA and the Plastics Treaty INC: ipen.org/documents/un...

A recent study shows that free-range eggs from five continents contain some of the world’s highest levels of highly toxic chemicals, including substances banned globally and others under consideration for global regulations. Learn more here: ipen.org/news/new-stu...

IPEN members from around the world will participate in the seventh session of the U.N. Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8 to 12 December 2025. The theme of the session is "Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.” Learn more here: ipen.org/news/seventh...

A recent IPEN study reveals alarming mercury levels among Indigenous women in Peru and Nicaragua in communities living near small-scale gold mining areas and relying on fish for food. Read and download here: ipen.org/news/mercury...

Watch the CNN video featuring IPEN Executive Director Björn Beeler describing risks to our health from toxic plastic chemicals, including phthalates, the "everywhere and everyone" chemicals: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd64...

Aimee Gabay reports in @mongabay.com on an IPEN study found 80% of Indigenous women of childbearing age in Nicaragua’s Waspam region had mercury levels above the U.S. EPA safety limit, with 98% exceeding the stricter 0.58 ppm threshold: news.mongabay.com/short-articl...

A study published by the ESDO and IPEN last year, researchers found high levels of PFAS chemicals in surface and tap water samples near textile industry areas in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Download the report here: ipen.org/documents/pe...

IPEN and our global members have produced original scientific research, country-based data, and policy proposals to address the health and environmental threats from plastics. We’ve produced more than 135 publications in more than 85 countries, visualized in this map: ipen-plastic-map.vercel.app

ICYMI – IPEN Participating Organizations (POs) from around the world led events in their countries for the 2025 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) in October. Scroll through this list and learn more about the organizations and projects that took place: ipen.org/projects/int...

A reminder that this Beyond Plastics webinar is happening on Wednesday, November 12, at 7pm EST (US). Learn more and RSVP: www.beyondplastics.org/events/toxic...

While #COP6 delegates agreed to phase out mercury in dental fillings, they failed to act on the biggest source of mercury pollution—small-scale gold mining. Read IPEN’s full response and our call to end mercury use in gold mining: ipen.org/news/mercury...

ICYMI last week, you can watch Health, Human Rights and Mercury Impacts of ASGM: Prioritising Health Interventions on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoR... This webinar highlighted urgent health impacts of mercury, explored strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and more.

Steven Grattan at The Associated Press reports on the sharp criticism of the latest mercury summit for failing to take stronger action against mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Read here: apnews.com/article/merc...

Read our report from the Minamata Convention on Mercury COP6: ipen.org/news/mercury... The ban on mercury in dental fillings is a positive step, but small-scale gold mining will remain the largest global contributor to mercury pollution without urgent action. #MercuryTreaty #MinamataCOP6

A hidden source of mercury pollution: the oil and gas industry. IPEN’s new briefing exposes how this fuels global mercury contamination and urges urgent action to stop it. 📘 Read more: ipen.org/documents/me... #Mercury #FossilFuels #ASGM #ToxicsFreeFuture

The Minamata Convention must be strengthened to end the world’s mercury crisis. IPEN’s brief outlines two amendments needed to protect health and the environment: • End the global mercury trade • Phase out mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) by 2032 ipen.org/documents/en...

A new IPEN study reveals alarming mercury levels among Indigenous women in Peru and Nicaragua in communities living near small-scale gold mining areas and relying on fish for food. ipen.org/documents/me... Mercury pollution from gold mining is a human rights and public health crisis.

Most mercury being traded today ends up in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. This contaminates rivers, fish, and communities worldwide. It’s time to end this toxic trade once and for all. Download IPEN’s Quick Views on the Mercury Treaty COP-6: ipen.org/documents/qu...

The Associated Press reported in October that the United Nations has warned of a “serious and ongoing human rights crisis” in Colombia’s Atrato River basin, where mercury from illegal gold mining has poisoned communities and ecosystems. apnews.com/article/un-c...

#Live now! Join this #MinamataCOP6 Knowledge Lab focusing on #HumanRights of groups in vulnerable situations, the health impacts of mercury, and strategies for prevention & guidance to strengthen health systems. ▶️ tiny.cc/COP6KnowledgeLab4Nov25 📺 www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoR...

It's Day 2⃣ at #MinamataCOP6!   Participants gather for regional meetings, as delegates delve into discussions on key items:   🟡 #ASGM 🟡 Mercury waste 🟡 Programme of work and budget 🟡 National reporting 🟡 Effectiveness evaluation 🟡 & more   ▶️ tiny.cc/GENRoadtoMinam…

A Minamata Convention COP-6 Knowledge Lab is happening today, Tue, Nov. 4, from 18:00-18:45 CET. Health, Human Rights and Mercury Impacts of ASGM: Prioritising health interventions For those in Geneva it is in CICG, Room 3. It will also be online. www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/events/healt...

Mercury is used by miners in small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in a process called amalgamation. The ASGM sector is the primary source of mercury contamination globally, impacting millions of lives. IPEN POs developed ASGM reports on the situation in their countries: ipen.org/documents/me...

IPEN warns that the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) continues to be the leading global source of mercury pollution. Read our briefing about the global mercury trade: ipen.org/documents/gl...

As this latest IPEN study exposes, Indigenous women in Peru and Nicaragua that live where small-scale gold mining takes place have high levels of mercury in their bodies. Download the report here: ipen.org/documents/me...

IPEN and its participating organizations (POs) worldwide joined forces with local and global partners for the 2025 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) from October 19-25. Read about what the organizations did around the world for ILPPW: ipen.org/projects/int...

The Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP-6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury takes place Nov 3–7 in Geneva. IPEN’s Quick Views outline key decisions and call for bold action to end global mercury trade and phase out ASGM by 2032. Read and download: ipen.org/documents/qu...

California has sued three major plastic bag manufacturers for falsely marketing their products as recyclable, while reaching a $1.8 million settlement with four others. Valerie Volcovici explains in Reuters: www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

Carey Gillam reports in The New Lede that U.S. imports of paraquat, a pesticide linked to Parkinson’s disease, have surged, even as dozens of countries have banned it. www.thenewlede.org/2025/10/para...

Environmental Health News shares that new research in the Journal of Chromatography A shows recycling increases toxic chemical levels in polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used for food packaging: www.ehn.org/test-recycli...

Invest in our children’s health. Demand governments’ and industries’ commitment to eliminating lead in all paints. Their future is worth it. #BanLeadPaint #ILPPW2025 #LeadSafePaint #NoSafeLeadLevel #ToxicsFree

Hazardous chemicals belong nowhere near children or homes. The Rotterdam Convention ensures safe decisions and keeps toxic imports in check. 🛡️ #BanLeadPaint #ILPPW2025 #LeadSafePaint #NoSafeLeadLevel #ToxicsFree

Global trade of lead chromates and lead paints continues. Stronger international controls can curb it. Countries with lead paint laws can report to the Rotterdam Convention to stop hazardous exports. 🌐 #BanLeadPaint #ILPPW2025 #LeadSafePaint #NoSafeLeadLevel #ToxicsFree