Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, from the depths of the ocean to the human body. It is a versatile material with numerous applications, including in food packaging and consumer goods. However, the ubiquity of plastic has raised concerns about its potential impact on human health and the environment. Studies have shown that plastics contain complex mixtures of chemicals, many of which are toxic. These toxic chemicals can leach out of plastic products and contaminate water, food, and other items. They can also attract and transfer hazardous substances, such as DDT and PCBs, to wildlife and humans. While the full extent of the dangers posed by plastic is not yet fully understood, it is clear that the assumption that plastic products are safe until proven otherwise needs to be re-evaluated.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic products and toxicity
Plastic products are everywhere, from grocery bags to vinyl flooring, and with their convenience comes serious harm. A study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology analysed 34 everyday plastic products made from eight types of plastic and found that 74% of the products tested were toxic in some way. The study revealed that issues of toxicity were widespread and could be found in nearly any type of plastic.
The production and disposal of plastics release hazardous chemicals, such as benzene and ethylbenzene, which can cause cancer and other serious health issues. These chemicals disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of colour, with higher cancer rates in majority Black communities compared to white ones.
Plastics are made from by-products of oil and gas refining, and many of the chemicals involved, such as benzene and vinyl chloride, are known carcinogens. In addition, plastics may contain additives such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which are also suspected carcinogens and have been linked to reduced fertility and problems with the development of reproductive organs.
Microplastics, which are usually defined as bits smaller than five millimetres across, are of particular concern. They attract toxic chemicals, including persistent bioaccumulative and toxic substances (PBTs) such as DDT and PCBs. When ingested, microplastics can get pulled deep into the lungs and cause respiratory issues.
The universal exposure of pregnant women to toxic plastic ingredients means that every fetus develops in the presence of hormone-disrupting chemicals. Research has found that even human placentas and breast milk are contaminated with plastic ingredients.
To protect human health and the environment, stricter limits on the use of hazardous chemicals in plastic and the production of problematic plastic items are necessary. Reducing plastic use and moving to safer materials and processes, such as replacing plastic bottles with glass, can help build healthier and more resilient communities.
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Plastic products and carcinogens
Plastic products are made from by-products of oil and gas refining, and many of the chemicals involved, such as benzene and vinyl chloride, are carcinogens. In addition to their main ingredients, plastics may contain any number of additives, many of which are also suspected carcinogens.
A study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology analyzed 34 everyday plastic products made of eight types of plastic to see how common toxicity might be. Seventy-four percent of the products they tested were toxic in some way. The researchers detected more than 1,000 chemicals in these plastics, 80% of which were unknown.
Another study published in Environmental Science and Technology compiled a list of 2,712 known plastic additives and performed an integrated toxicogenomic analysis of these additives, utilizing cancer classifications and carcinogenic expression pathways as a primary focus. Screening these substances across two chemical databases revealed two key observations:
- Over 150 plastic additives have known carcinogenicity.
- The majority (90%) of plastic additives lack data on their carcinogenic potential.
The link between plastics and cancer is a complex and ongoing topic of research and concern. Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are two chemical compounds commonly found in some types of plastics that have been associated with potential health risks, including the development of cancer.
To reduce potential risks associated with plastics and cancer, individuals can take the following precautions:
- Reduce plastic use, especially products containing BPA and phthalates.
- Choose alternatives like glass or stainless steel containers for food and beverages.
- Avoid heating food in plastic containers, as heat can cause the release of chemicals.
- Check labels and look for products labeled as "BPA-free".
- Stay informed about ongoing research and regulatory changes related to plastics and chemicals.
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Microplastics and toxicity
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, usually defined as those smaller than five millimetres across. They are formed when plastic degrades through exposure to the elements, such as when plastic bags are tossed by waves and exposed to UV radiation. They are also produced when plastic tyres abrade and when plastic clothing fibres shed.
Microplastics have been found in human placentas, in chasms deep beneath the sea, and in marine animals. They are everywhere, including in the food, food containers, and water that humans consume.
The toxicity of microplastics is an emerging field of study. Many studies have reported adverse effects in biota following microplastic exposure. However, the current understanding of microplastic toxicity is limited. Tools such as the Toxicity of Microplastics Explorer (ToMEx) have been developed to help identify the key pathways by which microplastics affect biota, and to inform risk assessment strategies.
Microplastics have been shown to attract and release toxic chemicals. They can carry Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic Substances (PBTs), such as DDT and PCBs. When consumed, microplastics can cause liver toxicity and pathology, as well as stress in fish. They can also get pulled deep into the lungs, causing lung disease.
A study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology analysed 34 everyday plastic products and found that 74% of them were toxic in some way. However, it is important to note that the methods of testing toxicity may not accurately reflect how humans come into contact with these toxins. For example, drinking from a refillable plastic water bottle may expose you to toxins in a different way than the methods used in the lab.
The wide variety of chemicals in commonly used plastics is not yet fully understood, and the assumption that plastic products are safe until proven otherwise has been called into question.
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Plastic products and endocrine disruptors
Plastic products are known to contain toxic chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs interfere with the body's hormone systems, leading to various adverse health effects. A study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology analyzed 34 everyday plastic products, finding that 74% of them exhibited some form of toxicity. This indicates that toxicity is prevalent across different types of plastic products.
EDCs found in plastic products have been linked to a range of health issues, including cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and neurological damage in fetuses and children. These chemicals can leach out of plastic items, such as water bottles and food containers, and enter the human body, potentially endangering human health. The production, use, and disposal of plastics contribute to the presence of toxic chemicals in the environment, and microplastics further exacerbate this issue by attracting and releasing harmful compounds.
The endocrine system plays a crucial role in regulating fertility, reproduction, growth, metabolism, immunity, and brain development. EDCs, such as bisphenol A, flame retardants, phthalates, and PFAS, can disrupt the normal functioning of this system. Studies have shown that exposure to EDCs during pregnancy can impact the reproductive development of male offspring, leading to fertility problems.
The widespread use of plastic in construction, food production and packaging, cookware, children's toys, furniture, electronics, textiles, automobiles, and cosmetics exposes individuals to a "harmful cocktail" of EDCs. Efforts to regulate plastic production and protect public health from these hazardous chemicals are crucial to mitigating the potential risks associated with endocrine disruptors in plastic products.
While plastic has revolutionized various aspects of modern life, its tendency to break down into microplastics contributes to environmental contamination and poses risks to human health. The presence of toxic chemicals in plastic products underscores the importance of further research and effective public policies to address this global issue.
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Plastic products and unknown chemicals
Plastic products are made from by-products of oil and gas refining, and many of the chemicals involved, such as benzene and vinyl chloride, are known to be carcinogens. In addition to their main ingredients, plastics may also contain a variety of additives, many of which are also suspected carcinogens. As plastics degrade, the chemicals used to make them can be released, combining to form new compounds that may be more or less dangerous than the originals.
Microplastics, which are defined as pieces of plastic smaller than five millimetres across, are particularly concerning. They are known to attract and leach toxic chemicals, including Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic Substances (PBTs) such as DDT and PCBs. These compounds can be inhaled or ingested, and have been found everywhere from human placentas to deep ocean trenches.
A study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology analysed 34 everyday plastic products made from eight types of plastic, and found that 74% of the products tested were toxic in some way. The researchers detected more than 1,000 chemicals in the plastics, 80% of which were unknown. This illustrates how little we know about the wide variety of chemicals in commonly used plastics.
The study tested for toxicity in a variety of ways, including checking for endocrine disruptors, which can mimic hormones and have been linked to various cancers, reduced fertility, and problems with the development of reproductive organs. While the study did not find that all types of plastic displayed toxicity, it did call into question the assumption that plastic products are safe until proven otherwise.
The hazards of ingesting large pieces of plastic are well-known and include choking and intestinal perforation. However, the risks posed by microplastics are more subtle, but no less serious. As previously mentioned, microplastics can attract and leach toxic chemicals, which can then be ingested by humans and wildlife. This has been demonstrated in a study where fish were exposed to a mixture of polyethylene with chemical pollutants from the marine environment, resulting in liver toxicity and pathology.
While the specific effects of plastic frame treatment on poisoning are unclear, it is evident that plastic products can contain and release toxic chemicals, and that exposure to these chemicals can have harmful effects on human health and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic poses a wide range of dangers to both humans and wildlife. It contains complex mixtures of extractable chemicals, many of which are toxic. These chemicals can leach into water, food, and beverages, and can also cause choking and perforation of the intestinal tract if ingested.
Plastic debris litters aquatic habitats globally and is ingested by a large range of species. Fish exposed to plastic and chemical pollutants suffer liver toxicity and pathology.
Humans are exposed to plastic chemicals through everyday products and water. These chemicals can act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking hormones and causing various cancers, reduced fertility, and problems with reproductive organ development. Microplastics can also get pulled deep into the lungs, causing lung disease.
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