From risk to sustainability

As an ecotoxicologist, I am expected to deal with risks. But how do risks refer to sustainablity? Defining sustainablity as meeting the four systemconditions, does not exclude risks as such. So what are we talking about? Yes - unsustainable use of chemicals and unsustainable risks. There are a lot of risks as well as chemicals that actually is and should be a part of life, but therefore it is important to be more stringent and constructive. Avoiding risks or chemicals in general term of speaking do not help us at all.

Let us find out the priority chemicals that should be phased out, by using the criterias that are most relevant for the systemconditions i.e. degradablity, accumulation, hormone disrupters etc.

But the alternative solutions must be set in a sustainablity perspective, in order to have an economic sustainable driver for the innovator. We have to be sure that an alternative must at least live as long on the market, it can give enough payback. Switching from a fossil plastic to an GMO-based renewable might be a risky investment from bizz AND environmental point of view. A closed loop system with Nylon 6 is perhaps much more better idea?