Environmental specimen banking and monitoring as related to banking

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There is a significant disparity between the capacity of major industrial nations to produce and distribute chemicals and our understanding of the potential unintended consequences for humans, life support systems, and the environment. This gap may widen as our ability to produce myriad chemicals outpaces our ability to identify, understand, or predict negative environmental impacts. As environmental scientists, we recognize the interconnectedness of environmental systems and nations. Pollutants are continually transferred across boundaries by both human and natural means, yet the extent, rate, and nature of these transfers remain largely unknown. We can only speculate on which chemicals may pose risks. More critically, we lack knowledge about the mechanisms of chronic effects on natural systems and the conditions that might lead to irreversible damage or serious consequences for humanity. Additionally, our understanding of potential indirect effects is limited. Concerning the environment itself, we know little about its capacity to assimilate widely dispersed pollutants and their transformation products. However, the knowledge we do possess is concerning, highlighting the urgent need for a significantly improved system for evaluating and managing toxic and hazardous chemicals.