https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/XM_0145To understand the impact that anthropogenic activities, in particular, the manufacturing and emission of chemicals have (had) on human health, ecosystems, biodiversity and the environment in general through the study of a number of relevant examples;To understand the concept of planetary boundaries, how they can be used to operate sustainably, as well as their limitations when it comes to regulating chemicals;To understand how concepts like circular economy, safe and sustainable by design chemicals and materials, and recycling play a role in creating a sustainable future, as well as the challenges that these bring with them;Know which legislations have been put in place at EU-level and worldwide to regulate the use of chemicals and minimize their impact on human health and the environment;Be able to write a report evaluating the (potential) risks associated with the use of a given chemical (group) in industrial activities, its (potential) emission in the environment and sustainable solutions to mitigate these risks;To improve the ability to lead and work as part of a team, giving students the opportunity to work in a team and tackle interdisciplinary subjects.Since the mid of the 19th century, the production and use of chemicals have been increasing dramatically and nowadays play a crucial role in the functioning of our societies. In fact, the chemical industry nowadays has become one of the most important manufacturing industries from an economic perspective. From pharmaceuticals, all the way to textiles and plastics, chemicals are involved in almost everything that we do. Yet through their life cycle, from manufacturing, during usage and eventually, when they are being disposed of, chemicals can impact human health and the environment. Through voluntary or involuntary emissions in the air (e.g., atmosphere) and water (e.g., rivers), chemicals can enter the environment and influence entire ecosystems. These chemicals can eventually also affect human health as we ourselves are exposed to them through the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. The realization that chemicals can have an impact on human and environmental well-being, has driven the adoption of a broad range of strategies to mitigate their impact, from the development of new technologies to remove these chemicals from the environment all the way to the introduction of stringent legislations to regulate their use and prevent their emissions. At the same time, human-induced climate change and overconsumption of resources have highlighted the urgent need to shift from a linear to a circular economy that focuses on sustainability and where reuse and recycling play a crucial role. However, while these are essential for the implementation of a circular society, they also bring new challenges related to the fate of chemicals of concern during recycling processes and their potential impact on humans and the environment. The goal of this course is to provide students with a holistic understanding of issues related to chemicals and environmental pollution and how these are intertwined with circular economy and sustainability.This course will make use of a range of blended learning techniques. The course will be structured in three major parts: (i) lectures on a selection of relevant topics aligned with the learning goals, (ii) self-study involving various forms of (e-)learning and (iii) working groups during which students will work on a policy report and a presentation. Goal of the working groups: Be able to produce and present a report about the sustainable use of chemicals. By focusing on a specific group of legacy or novel industrial chemicals, students will work in groups to prepare a report that tackles issues related to the use, production and disposal of industrial chemicals. They will incorporate existing knowledge about their use, manufacturing, emissions sources and impacts on humans and the environment, as well as link these to existing regulations about sustainable chemical management principles and international legislation (see below for a more detailed outline of a suggested report). The outcomes will be summarized in a report which will be presented to the whole class.The course assessment will involve three parts: (i) a final exam consisting of a multiple choice questionnaire; (ii) a report and (iii) a presentation based on the outcomes of the self-study and working groups. The report and presentation given by students will be used as a formative assessment for students. The report and presentation will be evaluated by the course coordinator and the provided feedback will allow students to determine to which extent they are on track to achieve the defined learning goals. Report and presentation will be graded and will weigh in the final (summative) assessment of students together with a final assessment.