Sofia Martinez
Plastic is everywhere—from the clothes we wear to the devices we use. It has revolutionized modern society, but it is also making people sick. Plastic waste is infiltrating our bodies, and scientists have found plastic particles, known as microplastics, in the blood, saliva, liver, kidneys, placenta, and even the brains of living beings. While the health impacts of microplastics are still being studied, there are concerns that they could be linked to various diseases and health issues, including cancer, reproductive issues, endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, impaired fertility, and problems with brain development in young children. With plastic production expected to triple by 2040 or 2060, it is essential to address this growing problem and reduce plastic usage to protect human health and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemicals in plastic | Bisphenols, Phthalates, Heavy metals |
| Health issues | Endocrine disruption, Weight gain, Insulin resistance, Reproductive issues, Cancer, Low birth weight, Preterm births, Impaired fertility, Maternal breast cancer risk, Problems with brain development in young children, Obesity, Metabolic disorders, Neurodevelopmental problems |
| Microplastics in human body | Detected in blood, saliva, breast milk, placenta, testicles, hearts, livers, kidneys, lungs |
| Microplastics in the environment | Oceans, Fruits and vegetables, Water bottles, Air, Cosmetics, Household dust, Soils, Food packaging |
| Risks | Inflammation, Cell death, Lung and liver effects, Changes in gut microbiome, Altered lipid and hormone metabolism, Oxidative damage, DNA damage, Changes in gene activity |
| Prevention | Use of stainless-steel water bottles, Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers, Use of paper or cloth bags for groceries, Avoid single-use plastic straws, cups, and food containers |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics found in human blood, organs, and food
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that negatively affects the environment and human health at every stage of plastic's lifecycle. While plastic pollution is found all over the planet, from Mount Everest to the deepest oceans, the impact of microplastics on human health is still being studied.
Microplastics have been found in human blood for the first time, with scientists detecting the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested. The study, funded by the Dutch National Organisation for Health Research and Development and Common Seas, a social enterprise working to reduce plastic pollution, found that microplastics can attach to the outer membranes of red blood cells, potentially limiting their ability to transport oxygen. This discovery shows that microplastic particles can travel around the body and may lodge in organs.
Indeed, microplastics have been detected in human organs and tissues, with particles found in the spleen and placenta. While the exact entry routes are unclear, microplastics can circulate in the bloodstream and accumulate in various organs. Studies have also shown that microplastics could absorb and accumulate environmental contaminants, potentially transporting them to organs like the spleen.
Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic, typically considered less than five millimeters in size, and can be manufactured to be that size or degraded from larger plastics discarded into the environment. They can be found in different shapes and textures, depending on their sources and the environmental conditions they are exposed to. Microplastics are present in the environment due to the limited recycling or incineration of plastic waste, which mostly accumulates in landfills and the environment.
While the health effects of microplastics are still being studied, researchers are concerned as microplastics have been shown to cause damage to human cells in the laboratory, and air pollution particles are already linked to millions of early deaths annually. There is also evidence that babies and young children, who are more vulnerable to chemical and particle exposure, are ingesting large amounts of microplastics, especially if fed with plastic bottles.
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Chemicals in plastic linked to cancer and reproductive issues
Plastic is largely derived from coal, oil, and gas, and people who live near where these materials are extracted or processed are exposed to high rates of hazardous chemicals and air pollution. However, plastic affects people's health at every stage of its lifecycle, from extraction to production, transport, use, and disposal.
Plastics contain toxic chemicals and accumulate toxic compounds from the environment on their surface, which can transmit hazardous substances to the human body when ingested or absorbed. A recent report by the California State Policy Evidence Consortium reviewed the health effects of microplastics and found that they are suspected to be a hazard to human digestive, reproductive, and respiratory systems.
The hazardous chemicals in plastic are used for a range of functions, including biocides to prevent moulds, flame retardants to increase fire resistance, and plasticizers to increase flexibility. Chemicals such as bisphenol A and phthalates, used to increase plastic's flexibility and durability, have been restricted in Europe due to their harmful properties. These compounds are known as endocrine disruptors, which can have long-lasting effects on health even at low doses. Exposure to endocrine disruptors can increase the risk of obesity, metabolic disorders, neurodevelopmental problems, and reproductive issues.
Additionally, plastic food packaging and containers can contain hundreds of chemicals that cause cancer, infertility, and gene mutations. A study found that plastic food wrappings had 388 individual "substances of concern," including 352 known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic to reproduction, and 22 hormone- or endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These chemicals can be released from plastic structures due to heat, and fats and oils can draw out compounds like phthalates.
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Plastic waste and air pollution
Plastic waste is a significant contributor to air pollution, particularly when it is burned. The incineration of plastic waste in open fields is a major source of air pollution, as it releases toxic gases and particles into the atmosphere. These pollutants include microplastics, bisphenols, phthalates, dioxins, furans, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (BCPs), and black carbon (soot). Open burning of plastic waste is common in low-income countries, where about 90% of waste is burned in the open air or ends up in open dumps. This practice has severe consequences for human health and the environment.
Burning plastic waste increases the risk of heart disease, aggravates respiratory ailments such as asthma and emphysema, and can cause rashes, nausea, headaches, and nervous system damage. It also contributes to climate change and air pollution by releasing black carbon (soot). People living and working near dumpsites are at a heightened risk of developing respiratory diseases and cancer due to their proximity to these toxic emissions.
The toxic pollutants released from burning plastic waste can settle on crops and in waterways, eventually entering our food systems and bodies. Dioxins, for example, are potentially lethal persistent organic pollutants that can cause cancer and disrupt thyroid and respiratory systems. Phthalates, which give plastic its flexibility and softness, are endocrine disruptors associated with fertility issues, neonatal impacts, allergies, and asthma. Microplastics, another byproduct of burning plastic, have been found in human lungs and blood, indicating potential damage to respiratory functions.
To address plastic waste's impact on air pollution and human health, countries like Tanzania and Zambia have implemented plastic bag bans, following successful bans in Kenya and Rwanda. These bans aim to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or is burned, thereby mitigating toxic fumes and their associated health risks. Additionally, the United Nations Environment Assembly passed a resolution in 2019, encouraging governments and the private sector to promote more resource-efficient design, production, use, and management of plastics across their life cycles.
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Plastic particles found in the lungs of living people
Plastic is negatively affecting human health at each stage of its lifecycle, from extraction to disposal. One of the ways in which exposure to plastic can affect human health is through the ingestion or absorption of microplastics. Microplastics are minuscule plastic particles that are found in the environment, including in the air, soil, water, drinking water, salt, seafood, and even the atmosphere.
In 2022, researchers from Hull York Medical School in the UK discovered microplastics lodged deep inside the lungs of living people for the first time. The researchers analyzed tissue samples from 13 patients, ranging in age from 52 to 76, who were undergoing surgery. They found microplastics in all the regions of the lungs, with an average of 3 microplastics per sample. The most common types of microplastics found were polypropylene and PET. Polypropylene is commonly found in carpets, clothing, and automotive plastics, while PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is used in plastic bags.
The researchers were surprised to find the highest number of particles in the lower regions of the lungs, as they expected that particles of these sizes would be filtered out or trapped before reaching these deep areas. Dr. Laura Sadofsky, a senior author of the study, stated that the data provides an important advance in understanding air pollution, microplastics, and their impact on human health.
While the specific health effects of microplastics in the lungs are still unknown, there are concerns about their potential toxicity to human cells. The impact may depend on various factors, including the type of plastic, level of exposure, particle shape, size, absorbed pollutants, and leaching of additives present in plastics. Inhalation of microplastics can also lead to inflammation, which is a concern for individuals with pre-existing pulmonary conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The presence of microplastics in the lungs highlights the need for further research to understand their potential impact on human health and to address the growing problem of plastic pollution.
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Plastic exposure and health hazards
Plastic exposure is a serious health hazard, threatening not only the environment but also human health and that of future generations. Plastic is derived from coal, oil, and gas, and the extraction and processing of these materials release hazardous chemicals and air pollutants. People living near these extraction or processing sites are particularly vulnerable to this pollution.
However, plastic exposure is a global issue, as plastic products are used worldwide. Thousands of chemicals are added to plastics, and these compounds can leach out and enter our bodies. Heat, fats, and oils can further facilitate the release of these chemicals. For example, washing plastic dishes in the dishwasher or storing fatty foods in plastic containers can expose people to these toxins. Microplastics and nanoplastics can also break off from plastic products due to wear and tear, contaminating food and accumulating in household dust, which is then inhaled.
The health effects of plastic exposure are wide-ranging and severe. These chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, impacting the hormone system. This can lead to low birth weights, preterm births, impaired fertility, increased risk of maternal breast cancer, and problems with brain development in children. Endocrine disruption has also been linked to weight gain, insulin resistance, decreased reproductive health, metabolic disorders, neurodevelopmental problems, and an increased risk of certain cancers.
In addition to the health impacts of the chemicals in plastic, the plastic particles themselves can cause harm. Microplastics have been found in human blood and lungs, and their presence has been linked to inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and necrosis. These issues are associated with various negative health outcomes, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, and stroke.
As plastic production continues to increase, human exposure to hazardous compounds is also expected to rise. It is essential to address this issue by reducing plastic production, use, and disposal, as well as implementing stricter regulations on the use of hazardous chemicals in plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is harmful to human health in two ways: exposure to chemicals in plastic and the ingestion or absorption of micro- and nanoplastics. These compounds are linked to serious health issues such as endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, decreased reproductive health, and cancer.
People can reduce their use of plastic by opting for paper or cloth bags for groceries and avoiding single-use plastic straws, cups, and other food containers. People can also use stainless-steel water bottles and avoid storing fatty foods in plastic containers.
Plastic is found all over the planet and plastic waste is estimated to triple by 2040. It has been found in the desert sands of Iran, freshly fallen snow in Antarctica, and on top of Mount Everest.
