Regulating “forever chemicals”: social data are necessary for the successful implementation of the essential use concept

IF 6 3区 环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Environmental Sciences Europe Pub Date : 2024-06-08 DOI:10.1186/s12302-024-00930-9
Ellise Suffill, Mathew P. White, Sarah Hale, Sabine Pahl
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Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of synthetic compounds, many of which are persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT). The sheer number of PFAS makes a substance-by-substance based approach to regulating this group unfeasible. Given the known risks of many PFAS, a precautionary approach (i.e., the Essential Use Concept; EUC) has been called for, whereby any substance is assumed to be harmful and should be phased out, unless it is shown that: (a) the use of this substance is necessary for health and safety, or is critical for the functioning of society and (b) there are no available technically and economically feasible alternatives. While experts, including chemists and toxicologists, are well-placed to assess the second criteria, determining what is necessary for the “functioning of society” requires a wider consideration of societal beliefs and preferences and greater involvement of various interested and affected parties, especially those whose voices are less heard but may be most vulnerable. The aim of the current paper is to provide a preliminary framework and research agenda outlining why and at what points in the essential use decision-making process broader societal perspectives are required, and how such ‘social data’ can be collected. The ultimate goal is to improve chemicals management by supporting citizens in becoming more informed and engaged participants in relevant debates and policies, including in how to operationalise the EUC.

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监管 "永久化学品":社会数据是成功实施必要用途概念的必要条件
全氟烷基和多氟烷基物质(PFAS)是一大类合成化合物,其中许多具有持久性、流动性和毒性(PMT)。由于 PFAS 种类繁多,因此采用逐个物质进行监管的方法并不可行。鉴于许多全氟辛烷磺酸的已知风险,人们呼吁采取一种预防性方法(即 "必要用途概念";EUC),据此假定任何物质都是有害的,应予以淘汰,除非有证据表明:(a) 该物质的使用对健康和安全是必要的,或对社会运转至关重要,(b) 没有技术和经济上可行的替代品。虽然包括化学家和毒理学家在内的专家完全有能力评估第二项标准,但要确定什么是 "社会运转 "所必需的,则需要更广泛地考虑社会信仰和偏好,并让各相关方和受影响方更多地参与进来,尤其是那些声音较少但可能最脆弱的群体。本文件旨在提供一个初步框架和研究议程,概述在基本使用决策过程中,为什么需要更广泛 的社会视角,以及在什么时候需要,以及如何收集此类 "社会数据"。最终目标是通过支持公民在相关辩论和政策中,包括在如何实施欧盟商会的问题上,变得更加知情和参与,从而改善化学品管理。
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来源期刊
Environmental Sciences Europe
Environmental Sciences Europe Environmental Science-Pollution
CiteScore
11.20
自引率
1.70%
发文量
110
审稿时长
13 weeks
期刊介绍: ESEU is an international journal, focusing primarily on Europe, with a broad scope covering all aspects of environmental sciences, including the main topic regulation. ESEU will discuss the entanglement between environmental sciences and regulation because, in recent years, there have been misunderstandings and even disagreement between stakeholders in these two areas. ESEU will help to improve the comprehension of issues between environmental sciences and regulation. ESEU will be an outlet from the German-speaking (DACH) countries to Europe and an inlet from Europe to the DACH countries regarding environmental sciences and regulation. Moreover, ESEU will facilitate the exchange of ideas and interaction between Europe and the DACH countries regarding environmental regulatory issues. Although Europe is at the center of ESEU, the journal will not exclude the rest of the world, because regulatory issues pertaining to environmental sciences can be fully seen only from a global perspective.
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