The Toxic Truth: Chemicals In Plastic Exposed

Plastic contains a range of chemicals, which are added to improve its performance. It is estimated that by 2050, 2 billion tonnes of chemical additives will have been used in plastic. According to a 2024 report, there are more than 16,000 chemicals associated with plastic, with at least 4,200 of these considered highly hazardous to human and environmental health. These chemicals can leach into food, homes, the environment, and human bodies.

More than 16,000 chemicals are associated with plastics

The chemicals in plastic are added to change and improve the performance of the plastics. Some make plastic more flexible, some make them more resistant to heat and sunlight, and some are for colouring. However, some chemicals do not easily break down and last for a long time in the environment, some are toxic, and some can build up to high levels in animals.

The PlastChem Report, published in March 2024, revealed that there are more plastic chemicals than previously known. The report's database includes more than 16,000 chemicals. It is a systematic, comprehensive approach to understanding the chemical dimension of plastics, according to Dr Jane Muncke, PlastChem co-author and Managing Director at the Food Packaging Forum.

The report also found that more than 400 hazardous chemicals of concern were present in each major plastic type tested, including food packaging. All tested plastics contained hazardous chemicals that can leach into food, homes, the environment, and human bodies.

At least 4,200 of these are highly hazardous to human health

Plastics contain a range of different chemicals, which are added to improve their performance. Some make plastic more flexible, some make them more resistant to heat and sunlight, and some are for colouring.

It is estimated that by 2050, 2 billion tonnes of chemical additives will have been used in plastic. While many of the chemicals that are added to plastics are useful and safe, some are chemicals of concern. These chemicals have concerning properties—for example, some do not easily break down and last for a long time in the environment, some are toxic, and some can build up to high levels in animals.

A new report shows that plastic chemicals are more numerous and hazardous than previously thought. Plastics may contain any mix of more than 16,000 different chemicals, and at least 4,200 (or 26%) of these are highly hazardous to human and environmental health, according to an international team of scientists with the PlastChem Project. More than 400 hazardous chemicals of concern were found present in each major plastic type tested, including food packaging, and all tested plastics contained hazardous chemicals that can leach into food, homes, the environment, and human bodies.

The term “plastic chemicals” encompasses all chemicals detectable in plastics, including additives, processing aids, and impurities. Ten groups of chemicals (based on chemistry, uses, or sources) are identified as being of major concern due to their high toxicity and potential to migrate or be released from plastics, including specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and many other non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).

Some chemicals are toxic and can build up to high levels in animals

Plastics contain a range of different chemicals. These chemicals are added to change and improve the performance of the plastics. Some chemicals make plastic more flexible, some make them more resistant to heat and sunlight, and some are for colouring. It is estimated that by 2050, 2 billion tonnes of chemical additives will have been used in plastic. While many of the chemicals that are added to plastics are useful and safe, some are chemicals of concern. These chemicals have concerning properties—for example, some do not easily break down and last for a long time in the environment, some are toxic, and some can build up to high levels in animals.

The PlastChem Report shows that there are more plastic chemicals than previously known, with more than 16,000 chemicals included in the newly launched PlastChem database. Of these, at least 4,200 (or 26%) are highly hazardous to human and environmental health, according to an international team of scientists with the PlastChem Project. More than 400 hazardous chemicals of concern were found present in each major plastic type tested, including food packaging, and all tested plastics contained hazardous chemicals that can leach into food, homes, the environment, and human bodies.

Based on the latest studies, more than 13,000 chemicals have been identified as associated with plastics and plastic production across a wide range of applications. Ten groups of chemicals (based on chemistry, uses, or sources) are identified as being of major concern due to their high toxicity and potential to migrate or be released from plastics, including specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and many other non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).

Chemicals of concern have been found in plastics across a wide range of sectors and products value chains, including toys and other children's products, packaging (including food contact materials), electrical and electronic equipment, vehicles, synthetic textiles and related materials, furniture, building materials, medical devices, personal.

Some chemicals do not easily break down and last for a long time in the environment

Plastics contain a range of different chemicals. These chemicals are added to change and improve the performance of the plastics. Some chemicals make plastic more flexible, some make them more resistant to heat and sunlight, and some are for colouring. It is estimated that by 2050, 2 billion tonnes of chemical additives will have been used in plastic.

While many of the chemicals that are added to plastics are useful and safe, some are chemicals of concern. These chemicals have concerning properties—for example, some do not easily break down and last for a long time in the environment. Some are toxic, and some can build up to high levels in animals. More than 400 hazardous chemicals of concern were found present in each major plastic type tested, including food packaging, and all tested plastics contained hazardous chemicals that can leach into food, homes, the environment, and human bodies.

The term “plastic chemicals” encompasses all chemicals detectable in plastics, including additives, processing aids, and impurities. Based on the latest studies, more than 13,000 chemicals have been identified as associated with plastics and plastic production across a wide range of applications. Ten groups of chemicals (based on chemistry, uses, or sources) are identified as being of major concern due to their high toxicity and potential to migrate or be released from plastics, including specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and many other non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).

Chemicals of concern have been found in plastics across a wide range of sectors and products value chains, including toys and other children's products, packaging (including food contact materials), electrical and electronic equipment, vehicles, synthetic textiles and related materials, furniture, building materials, medical devices, personal. The new PlastChem Report shows that there are more plastic chemicals than previously known, with more than 16,000 chemicals included in the newly launched PlastChem database, which accompanies the report. This report is unique. It’s a systematic, comprehensive approach to understanding the chemical dimension of plastics, and it offers robust, science-based and future-proof options for responding to this challenge.

Chemicals of concern have been found in plastics across a wide range of sectors and products

Plastics contain a range of different chemicals. These chemicals are added to change and improve the performance of the plastics. Some chemicals make plastic more flexible, some make them more resistant to heat and sunlight, and some are for colouring. It is estimated that by 2050, 2 billion tonnes of chemical additives will have been used in plastic.

While many of the chemicals that are added to plastics are useful and safe, some are chemicals of concern. These chemicals have concerning properties—for example, some do not easily break down and last for a long time in the environment, some are toxic, and some can build up to high levels in animals. According to the PlastChem Report, there are more than 16,000 chemicals in the PlastChem database, with at least 4,200 of those considered to be "highly hazardous" to human health and the environment. More than 400 hazardous chemicals of concern were found present in each major plastic type tested, including food packaging, and all tested plastics contained hazardous chemicals that can leach into food, homes, the environment, and human bodies.

The term "plastic chemicals" encompasses all chemicals detectable in plastics, including additives, processing aids, and impurities. More than 13,000 chemicals have been identified as associated with plastics and plastic production across a wide range of applications. Ten groups of chemicals (based on chemistry, uses, or sources) are identified as being of major concern due to their high toxicity and potential to migrate or be released from plastics, including specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and many other non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).

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