The goal of the IPCP is to collect scientific knowledge about issues of chemical pollution and to provide summaries and interpretations of the available knowledge for decision makers and the public.
There are several major groups of chemicals such as: pesticides and biocides; pharmaceuticals; industrial chemicals such as solvents, flame retardants and plastic softeners; and unwanted by-products such as polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans. In total, there are several tens of thousands of chemicals on the market worldwide. Chemicals are released from many sources, enter the environment, reach our food and drinking water, and cause many types of adverse effects in both humans and wildlife.
