Toxic Organic Chemicals in a Globally Connected World: Comparing Real Flows with Virtual Flows Embodied in International Trade

In a globally connected world, chemical production and the manufacturing, use, and end-of-life disposal of products may occur in different countries. Whereas this can lower emissions of toxic organic chemical and therefore human and wildlife exposures in countries with consumer economies, manufacturing countries and those involved in the handling of waste are “virtually importing” emissions and exposures. Here, we illustrate the feasibility of characterizing toxic chemical emissions, exposures, and health risks embodied in international trade using the example of the fungicide chlorothalonil applied in the cultivation of bananas in Costa Rica, which are exported to Europe and North America. The international virtual flow of chlorothalonil embodied in the banana trade is in the 100s of tonnes per year and exceeds by many orders of magnitude the flows via long-range atmospheric transport and as residue in the traded commodity. Quantifying the flows of toxic chemicals embodied in international trade in chemicals, products, food, feed, and waste, and the resulting exposure and health effects, is key to revealing the responsibility of consumers for the risk associated with toxic chemical use.