Human-made chemicals have become “everywhere pollutants,” posing severe risks to health and ecosystems. Experts call for urgent action as toxic exposure leads to millions of deaths worldwide.
In the Anthropocene era, human-made chemicals are no longer just “forever pollutants”—they are “everywhere pollutants.” According to the State of India’s Environment 2025 report, released yesterday, chemicals have infiltrated every part of the planet, from the highest atmospheric layers to the deepest oceans, and even remote, uninhabited regions. The report warns that the unregulated use and rapid production of synthetic chemicals pose a severe threat to human health and ecosystems.
What Does the Report Reveal?
The report, launched at the Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2025, highlights alarming statistics about chemical pollution. It states that humans have synthesized around 140,000 chemicals, many of which did not exist a few decades ago. Every year, 220 billion tonnes of chemicals are released into the environment, including 65 kg of cancer-causing chemicals per second.
A significant portion of these chemicals is unregulated and poorly understood. Data from the Chemicals Abstracts Service suggests that over 60,000 chemicals are being used and imported globally without adequate knowledge of their long-term impacts. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that exposure to environmental chemicals led to two million deaths worldwide in 2019, along with 53 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to chemical exposure.
Where Was the Report Released?
The report was unveiled at the Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2025, a premier annual gathering of environmental journalists, hosted at the Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute in Nimli, Rajasthan. The event, organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), brought together over 80 journalists from across India to discuss pressing environmental challenges.
Who Are the Key Figures Behind the Report?
The report was released by CSE Director General Sunita Narain, along with distinguished leaders such as:
- Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa
- Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission
- Raj Liberhan, Management and Financial Expert
The discussions featured insights from Dr. Donthi N Reddy, Visiting Senior Fellow at the Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, and Rohini Krishnamurthy, Correspondent at Down To Earth, who anchored a special session on ‘Chemicals in the Environment’.
Over the next three days, the media conclave will explore critical environmental challenges, including:
- Human-animal conflicts in India
- The rise of urban heat islands and warm nights
- India’s renewable energy targets
- The resurgence of zoonotic diseases
How Are Chemicals Affecting Human Health?
Once inside the body, synthetic chemicals attack vital organs. They first encounter the lungs, skin, and gut, then travel through the bloodstream to impact the kidneys, immune system, and even DNA regulation. Long-term exposure can lead to:
- Cancer
- Organ damage
- Immune system weakening
- Asthma and allergies
Pesticide misuse is another major concern. According to Dr. Donthi N Reddy, India indiscriminately uses 255,000 tonnes of pesticides annually, despite the fact that even a single gram can be lethal.
What Needs to Be Done?
The report raises urgent questions: Have we reached a critical tipping point in chemical pollution? With millions of lives already affected, it calls for stricter regulations, safer alternatives, and increased public awareness to mitigate the risks posed by these hazardous substances.
The State of India’s Environment 2025 report is a wake-up call for policymakers, industries, and individuals to take immediate action before chemical pollution spirals out of control.