ATHLETE Toolkit – Decision – and policy-makers

What actions are effective at reducing our exposures to harmful stressors like air pollution and hormone-disrupting chemicals? What might be challenges in putting these actions into practice, and what supportive actions could be taken to overcome these challenges? How can institutions and governments enact change to benefit the population?

As an individual able to make decisions about policies in your place of work (e.g. the soaps and cleaning products used, policies about idling in front of entrances) or more broadly (e.g. whether manufacturers should be able to use chemicals not formally tested for their health effects, directing a traffic or infrastructure project), you are keen to know ‘what works’ and how to adopt better practices.

In ATHLETE, we focused on urban air pollution and chemical exposures from dietary intake like food packaging and personal care products like soaps, toothpaste, fragrances, and make-up. We looked through the scientific literature to examine whether there are already existing interventions that could be implemented to reduce these harmful exposures. We also carried out in-depth interviews with other decision-makers like you about effective interventions and what may make it harder to put them into practice, as well as what may help. These provide recommendations on what to be aware of when considering the implementation of these interventions.