Tunis: Tunisia faces an "invisible" but widely prevalent chemical threat: increasing exposure to phthalates and bisphenols. The former are used as plasticisers to soften PVC (polyvinyl chloride, a widely consumed thermoplastic polymer), while the latter-bisphenols-are employed notably in epoxy resins and are endocrine disruptors. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, these chemical substances, increasingly restricted in Europe, remain present on the local market, as highlighted in a report published in January 2026 by the Association for Environmental Education for Future Generations (AEEFG), in collaboration with the international network IPEN. Titled 'Situation of Phthalates and Bisphenols in Tunisia: Exposures and Hazards', the report reveals concerning contamination of both the population and the environment. Analyses show that 64.7% of women tested have traces of bisphenol A (BPA) in their urine, with an average concentration of 0.4 ng/mL. The report also indicates contamination in everyday consume r products, with significant levels of phthalates found in cheeses, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In the marine environment, bioaccumulation phenomena have been observed on the coasts of Mahdia and Sfax, affecting water, sediments, and marine species alike. The report points out that the weak chemical bonding of these substances to materials facilitates their migration into the air, food, and the human body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Even at low doses, these substances are linked to serious health effects including reproductive and developmental disorders, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Additional concerns are raised about the "regrettable substitution market". Due to the tightening of European regulations, particularly through the REACH regulation, some prohibited or restricted substances continue to be exported to less regulated countries. Tunisia, heavily reliant on imports of plastic materials, has diversified its supply sources toward Turkey and Asia, in addition to European partners like Italy and Spain. Between 2020 and 2025, more than 2,100 tonnes of plasticisers were imported, illustrating the scale of the issue. Despite these risks, Tunisia's regulatory framework remains limited. The only specific measure in place is the prohibition of BPA in baby bottles, adopted in 2010. Current standards do not account for the cumulative and chronic effects of these substances, exacerbating the vulnerability of populations, particularly children and newborns exposed through certain medical devices. The report's authors urge urgent reform, recommending harmonisation with international standards, the establishment of an effective surveillance system, the strengthening of analytical capacities, and the promotion of safer alternatives. According to AEEFG and IPEN, Tunisia now stands at a "strategic turning point". Without swift action, the country risks becoming a preferred destination for chemical substances prohibited elsewhere, with lasting consequences for public health and the environment. ocrine disruptors, which include phthalates and bisphenols, interfere with the hormonal system, regulating essential functions such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and sleep. Compounds in everyday objects can mimic or block the action of natural hormones, sending "false signals" to the body, particularly during sensitive periods like pregnancy or childhood. Repeated exposure to these substances is linked to fertility disorders, developmental abnormalities, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and certain cancers. In nature, these substances disperse into water, soil, and living organisms, accumulating progressively. They can disrupt animal reproduction and destabilise ecosystems, making their impact difficult to control and a major public health and environmental concern today.