A toxic chemical commonly used in plastic products could soon be banned under international law following landmark UN recommendations that pave the way for stricter rules on microplastic and other plastic pollution.
Tight new regulations are being proposed for UV-328, a chemical added to plastic food packaging, sunscreen, and other plastic products to prevent it from degrading in sunlight. It bioaccumulates and is harmful to people and animals’ kidneys, livers, and endocrine systems, does break down in the environment and has been found in the Arctic and on remote islands.