As the global electronic waste (e-waste) stream grows, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how exposure to e-waste affects human health. Components used to make electronic devices, such as laptops, cell phones, and televisions, contain a variety of metals and chemicals that can harm health when people are exposed through handling or just living near e-waste streams. NIEHS will work with WHO to raise understanding of the importance of controlling exposures to e-wastes among health practitioners and decision makers.
UQ Researchers are working at the intersection of science, education and policy to better understand and reduce pollution’s impact on children’s health.
A recent article in the Australian Financial Review discusses the impacts of short-term and long term-exposure to environmental hazards in urban areas. Professor Peter Sly, PBC Chair and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Children’s Health and the Environment at the University of Queensland, is quoted.
Cities as a health hazard, Financial Review, 8 December 2017.
Addressing the first Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP1), held in Geneva 24-29 September 2017, Dr. Mahmood A. Khwaja, Senior Adviser Chemicals and Sustainable Industrial development, emphasized expedited support to developing countries, through capacity building, technical assistance and technology transfer, for sound chemicals management and safeguarding public health.
Over 1500 delegates from 152 countries (including two Presidents and several Ministers and Vice Ministers of Environment) participated in COP 1.



This 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee Publication includes 15 policy briefs on mercury/chemical and Sustainable Industry Development, as well as climate change, economy, trade and governance.
Available for download from the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI): Policy Briefs for Sustainable Development in Pakistan.
Asthma, authored by ST Holgate, S Wenzel, DS Postma, ST Weiss, H Renz and PD Sly in 2015, Asthma Primer was featured at Nature.com during January 2017.

Dr Mahmood A. Khwaja, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and PBC Board member, presenting the new publication.
Pakistan Environmental Challenges and Measures for Pollution Control
- Children’s Health in a Changing Global Environment
- Ensuring a Bright Future for Children’s Environmental Health
- Health Consequences of Environmental Exposures: Changing Global Patterns of Exposure and Disease
- Health Consequences of Environmental Exposures in Early Life: Coping with a Changing World in the Post-MDG Era
This edition contains output from the 2015 Conference.