Chemical in beaker
A set of planetary boundaries were proposed in 2009 that delimitate a “safe operating space for humanity”. One of the planetary boundaries is determined by “chemical pollution”, however no clear definition was provided. Here, the authors propose that there is no single chemical pollution planetary boundary, but rather that many planetary boundary issues governed by chemical pollution exist.
The authors identify three conditions that must be simultaneously met for chemical pollution to pose a planetary boundary threat, discuss approaches to identify chemicals that could fulfill those conditions, and outline a proactive hazard identification strategy that considers long-range transport and the reversibility of chemical pollution.
Design and development by Soapbox.