Toxic chemicals as enablers and poisoners of the technosphere

The technosphere is a complex, self-perpetuating system and yet current trends of environmental degradation and resource consumption threaten its future. Toxic chemicals constitute a small but critical fraction of total chemical use that enables activities and infrastructure in the technosphere. What if the toxic chemicals are, at the same time, increasing risks to the technosphere’s future? Two examples are presented of toxic chemicals, namely polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were introduced to reduce risks within the technosphere but are now causing risks to the human population such as reduced IQ and symptoms consistent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Management of these health effects requires resources, including chemicals that could themselves cause additional impacts. Moreover, the negative health impacts impose direct and indirect costs that divert resources from innovating sustainable solutions for perpetuation of the technosphere.