A/HRC/33/41 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes Contents Page I. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3 II. The “silent pandemic” ...................................................................................................................... 3 III. State obligation to prevent childhood exposure ............................................................................... 7 A. Best interests of the child ......................................................................................................... 7 B. Right to be heard ...................................................................................................................... 7 C. Right to life, survival and development ................................................................................... 8 D. Right to physical and mental integrity ..................................................................................... 8 E. Right to an effective remedy .................................................................................................... 10 F. Right to the highest attainable standard of health .................................................................... 11 G. Right to a healthy environment ................................................................................................ 12 H. Right to an adequate standard of living, including food, water and adequate housing ............ 12 I. Right to non-discrimination ..................................................................................................... 12 J. Right to be free from the worst forms of child labour ............................................................. 13 K. Right to information ................................................................................................................ 13 Business responsibility to prevent exposure by children to toxics ................................................... 14 A. A framework for solutions ....................................................................................................... 15 B. Due diligence by businesses to prevent childhood exposure ................................................... 16 C. Responsibility to prevent exposure through businesses’ activities .......................................... 17 D. Responsibility through business relationships ......................................................................... 19 E. Responsibility to ensure an effective remedy .......................................................................... 20 V. Future work ...................................................................................................................................... 21 VI. Conclusions and recommendations .................................................................................................. 21 IV. 2