The sustained increase in waste and the impact of chemicals on health and the environment call for the need to strengthen research and international cooperation.

The United Nations has recently approved the creation of a scientific panel to address one of the most complex environmental challenges: chemical pollution and inadequate waste management. This initiative was presented in Punta del Este, Uruguay, and represents a significant step forward in the search for solutions based on shared knowledge.

The new panel was created with the objective of gathering and disseminating rigorous scientific information that will enable countries to make more effective decisions regarding the impact of chemicals on health and ecosystems. Among its priorities will be to identify safe management practices, provide updated data and support the development of public policies to reduce exposure to contaminants.

Chemical pollution is a global threat that affects different regions unevenly. While some areas suffer high levels of air pollution from industrial and urban emissions, others face the accumulation of solid and liquid wastes that deteriorate soil and water quality. It is estimated that each year millions of people die prematurely as a direct result of environmental pollution, a figure that reflects the urgency of coordinated action.

This scenario is compounded by the significant growth of municipal solid waste. Forecasts indicate that the global volume of this waste will increase from the current 2.1 billion tons to nearly 3.8 billion tons in 2050. This accelerated increase compromises the management capacity of many cities and highlights the need for new technical and scientific tools to guide decision-making.

The panel aspires to become an international benchmark in risk assessment and the generation of recommendations, helping each country to adapt best practices to its economic, social and environmental reality. Although its guidelines will not be binding, its influence is expected to promote the adoption of more stringent standards for the control of pollutants and hazardous waste.

The launch of this new scientific body coincides with a moment of special relevance for the global environmental agenda, since in the coming months a new international summit will be held to review the progress and commitments related to the sustainable management of chemicals. The first working sessions of the panel are expected to begin shortly, marking the start of a stage that could accelerate the available knowledge and applicable solutions in this area.