Chemical substances have a wide range of uses and applications, and exist in a diverse range of products and services which we encounter every day. Some of these chemicals have harmful effects, and exposure is associated with significant adverse health and environmental outcomes.
To effectively manage the risks of chemicals, good knowledge on the prevalence of chemicals and the various exposure pathways and effects is needed. A monetary valuation of the effects of chemical exposure can then be compared with the cost of regulatory action in a cost-benefit analysis to inform further policy development. Illnesses and diseases identified in epidemiological and toxicological evidence and which have been associated with exposure to harmful chemicals include cancers, reproductive, neurodevelopmental, cardiovascular & respiratory effects as well as skin sensitization. Environmental effects include damage to various ecosystem services, fresh and coastal water quality, animal health, and contaminated land. Currently, the evidence is limited for many chemicals and their effects.
Aiming to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the socio-economic costs of chemical pollution to the UK, the Logika Group was commissioned by Defra to lead a study aiming to identify relevant harmful substances and their associated effects. Our analysis provided monetary estimates of economic and social damage to the UK associated with current and/or past chemical exposure. Furthermore, given significant uncertainties surrounding the current evidence, the study highlighted key data gaps and research priorities to improve these estimates in the future. The accompanying diagram gives an overview of the potential socio-economic costs of chemical exposure identified within the study.
The analysis in the study covered the major endpoints found in regulatory toxicology, intended to result in an assessment of the main pollution effects. Due to the evidence gaps and uncertainties, the figures provided in the study should not be interpreted as the “total” costs of the chemical burden to the UK. The figures instead reflect the available evidence, where data on exposure to effects and valuation methods could be applied. There are a significant number of chemicals where evidence on risks and exposure are uncertain, absent or emerging, but cannot be quantified at this stage. These should be a focus of future research so that estimates can be improved going forward.
The final report of the study has been published by Defra, and can be accessed online.
The Logika Group’s Environmental Policy and Economics (EPE) practice has extensive experience of conducting socio-economic and policy assessments to support decision-making within EU institutions, national governments, industry, and NGOs. Our expertise covers the full range of environmental policy areas. For further information on our service offerings in areas including chemicals and socio-economic assessment, please contact David Tyrer.
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