Scientists have issued a serious warning about synthetic chemicals used in our food system. These chemicals, including phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides, and “forever chemicals” (Pfas), are linked to rising rates of cancer, infertility, and developmental problems in children. They are also harming the environment and agriculture.
A new report estimates that the health costs from these chemicals reach up to $2.2 trillion (£1.7 trillion) per year. This figure is about the same as the total profits of the world’s 100 largest companies. The report also highlights significant environmental damage, estimating a further $640 billion in costs related to agricultural losses and the need to meet water safety standards for Pfas and pesticides.
The impact on human populations could also be drastic. If exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals like bisphenols and phthalates continues at current levels, the report predicts a significant drop in birth rates. It suggests there could be between 200 million and 700 million fewer births globally between 2025 and 2100.
The report was compiled by dozens of scientists from respected institutions, including the Institute of Preventive Health, the Center for Environmental Health, Chemsec, and universities in the UK and US. A team from Systemiq, a company focused on sustainable development, led the research. They chose to focus on these four types of chemicals because they are widely used and have strong evidence of causing harm to both humans and the environment.
Philip Landrigan, a paediatrician and professor of global public health at Boston College, described the report as a “wake-up call.” He stressed the urgency of addressing chemical pollution, comparing its severity to climate change. “The world really has to wake up and do something about chemical pollution,” he stated.
Since the end of the second world war, the use of synthetic chemicals has grown dramatically. Chemical production has increased over 200 times, and there are now more than 350,000 synthetic chemicals available globally. In fact, chemical pollution has become so widespread that scientists believe it has crossed a “planetary boundary,” pushing Earth’s environment outside the stable conditions needed for human civilisation.
Unlike medicines, industrial chemicals often face fewer safety tests before they are used and little monitoring afterwards. The report specifically looks at chemicals common in food production: phthalates and bisphenols (used in plastics for food packaging and gloves), pesticides (used heavily in farming), and Pfas (used in food packaging like popcorn bags and ice-cream cartons, and which contaminate air, soil, and water).
These chemicals have been linked to various health issues, including hormone disruption, cancers, birth defects, intellectual impairment, and obesity. Professor Landrigan noted a concerning shift in children’s health during his career. While infectious diseases have decreased, rates of non-communicable diseases have soared. He believes the increasing exposure to manufactured chemicals is a major factor.
He expressed particular concern for chemicals that harm children’s developing brains, potentially reducing their intelligence and creativity. “The second class of chemicals that I worry really worried about are the endocrine-disrupting chemicals,” he added, citing bisphenol as an example that can affect metabolism, increase obesity, and raise the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Professor Landrigan also warned that the chemicals studied might only be the “tip of the iceberg.” He fears the thousands of other chemicals people are exposed to daily, about which little is known, could also pose significant risks. “What scares the hell out of me is the thousands of chemicals to which we’re all exposed every day about which we know nothing,” he said.