Alexei Volkov
Plastic is everywhere, from grocery bags to vinyl flooring, and even in our food. It has been estimated that by 2050, 2 billion tonnes of chemical additives will have been used in plastic. Many of these additives are toxic and have been linked to serious health conditions, including cancer, lower IQ, and hormone disruption. Scientific results indicate that plastic causes diseases, disabilities, and premature death at every stage of its life cycle. The production and disposal of plastics have an especially high impact on workers, low-income communities, and communities of color. Certain chemicals of concern have been identified, including flame retardants, PFASs, phthalates, and bisphenols. These chemicals are added to plastics to improve their performance, such as increasing flexibility or durability. However, many of these chemicals have not been adequately screened for safety, and their consequences include polluted oceans, disposal challenges, and rising greenhouse gas emissions.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic additives like phthalates, PFAS, and flame retardants
Plastic additives are chemicals added to plastics to change and improve their performance. Some of these additives, such as phthalates, PFAS, and flame retardants, have raised concerns about their potential impact on human health and the environment.
Phthalates are a group of chemicals commonly used as plasticizers in plastics to increase flexibility. They have been associated with potential reproductive and developmental toxicity, with laboratory evidence suggesting they may alter endocrine function. Human data on the health effects of phthalates is limited, but studies have shown higher phthalate metabolite levels in post-natal samples, indicating possible exposure during pregnancy and potential impacts on fetal development.
PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) have been authorized by the FDA for use in plastic food packaging since 2002. PFAS are used as processing aids to facilitate the manufacturing of plastic food contact articles. However, concerns have been raised about their presence in food, as PFAS can migrate from the plastic into food products. The FDA has underestimated the exposure to PFAS by ignoring their cumulative effects in the diet and the environment.
Flame retardants are additives used to reduce the flammability of plastics and composites and slow down the spread of fire. They work through various mechanisms, including cooling, forming a protective layer, and diluting flammable gases. While flame retardants improve fire safety, there are growing concerns about their potential health and environmental impacts. Phosphorus-based flame retardants, for example, are considered safer and more environmentally friendly than halogenated flame retardants.
While many plastic additives are useful and safe, some are of concern due to their persistence in the environment, toxicity, and ability to accumulate in animals. There is a need for more comprehensive studies to assess the potential health and environmental impacts of these additives, especially with the increasing use of plastics in various industries.
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Toxic chemicals in plastic threaten human health
Plastic is everywhere, from grocery bags to vinyl flooring, and even in our food. Scientific evidence has shown that toxic chemicals in plastic threaten human health and the environment.
Plastics contain a range of different chemicals, many of which are added to improve performance. Some make plastic more flexible, while others improve heat and sunlight resistance or provide colouring. However, some of these chemicals are toxic and can have adverse effects on human health. For example, phthalates, PFAS, and flame retardants used in plastics are associated with serious health conditions. These chemicals can leach into our food, escape into indoor air, and are found in microplastics, leading to human exposure through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.
The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics have been linked to causing cancer, changing hormone activity (endocrine disruption), and reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments. Vulnerable groups, including children, women, and marginalized communities, are particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of plastics. For instance, exposure to plastics during fetal development can cause neurodevelopmental impairment and increase the risk of childhood cancer. Additionally, plastics contribute to environmental injustice, as low-income communities and communities of colour are disproportionately impacted by plastic production and disposal.
Furthermore, plastic production and disposal practices have severe consequences for the environment and human health. The extraction of fossil fuels, manufacturing, and incineration of plastics result in pollution, air pollution, and water and soil contamination. The combustion products of plastics like PVC/vinyl are highly toxic and pose serious dangers to communities near incinerators and landfills.
While plastic has benefits, such as improving food shelf life and energy efficiency in homes, the toxic chemicals they contain pose significant risks. Urgent action is needed to address these chemical-related issues and protect human health and the environment from the adverse impacts of plastic pollution.
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Chemicals of concern in plastics and their impact on the environment
Plastic is everywhere, from grocery bags to vinyl flooring, and it is made using a range of chemicals. These chemicals are added to plastics to improve their performance, making them more flexible, resistant to heat and sunlight, or simply for colouring. While many of these chemicals are useful and safe, some are of concern.
Chemicals of concern in plastics can have adverse impacts on both human health and the environment. These chemicals are released from plastic during its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials, production of polymers, and manufacture of plastic products, to the use of plastic products and their disposal. They can escape into indoor air, be ingested through food and water, and find their way into the soil.
Some chemicals of concern do not easily break down and persist in the environment for long periods. They can build up to high levels in animals and have severe or long-lasting adverse effects on human health. For example, exposure to certain chemicals during fetal development can cause neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders. Men are also at risk, with research documenting substantial detrimental effects on male fertility.
Ten groups of chemicals are identified as being of major concern due to their high toxicity and potential to migrate or be released from plastics. These include specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
The impact of these chemicals on the environment and human health has led to calls for urgent action to address their use in plastics as part of global action on plastic pollution. Careful management of these chemicals, including phasing them out of plastics, is necessary to reduce their entry into the environment.
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Plastic production and disposal impact on communities
Plastic is everywhere, from grocery bags to vinyl flooring, and its use has skyrocketed. Plastics contain a range of different chemicals, which are added to improve performance. Some make plastic more flexible, some make them more resistant to heat and sunlight, and some are for colouring. Many of these chemicals have not been adequately screened for safety, and some are toxic and harmful to human health. For example, phthalates, PFAS in clothing, and flame retardants used in electronics are associated with serious health conditions.
The production and disposal of plastics have an especially high impact on workers, low-income communities, and communities of colour. For instance, in "Cancer Alley", located on the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, petrochemical production accounts for 25% of the US total, and cancer rates in the region are much higher than the national average, with majority Black communities at greater risk. PVC and vinyl chloride are highly toxic and pose a serious danger in areas with incinerators and landfills.
Plastic pollution also has a significant impact on communities. It can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change, and directly affecting millions of people's livelihoods, food production, and social well-being. Plastic waste is often improperly disposed of, with around 4.8-12.7 million metric tons discarded into the oceans annually by countries with coastlines. This waste can be toxic to humans, entering the body through food, water, and skin contact, and has been linked to neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders in children, as well as fertility issues in men.
Communities are also affected by the challenges of plastic disposal. Recycling rates vary dramatically between countries, and plastic pollution is caused by the improper disposal of plastic, rather than "proper" disposal through recycling. Communities are often overburdened with plastic waste, and the combustion of plastics during incineration contributes to rising greenhouse gas emissions, now a major driver of climate change.
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Scientific evidence of plastic's health effects
Plastic is one of the most preferred materials in today's industrial world due to its convenience, flexibility, and durability. However, it poses serious threats to the environment and human health. Scientific evidence has revealed various health effects of plastics, which are detailed as follows:
Ingestion and Inhalation of Microplastics:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an average person could be ingesting approximately 0.1 to 5 grams of plastic every week through food and water. Microplastics can also be inhaled, with estimates ranging from 26 to 170 airborne micro and nanoplastics per day. Studies on animals indicate that these plastic particles can cross the gut barrier and travel through the body. Recent research has found microplastics in human blood, lungs, and even the placenta. While the specific health impacts of microplastics are still being investigated, there is growing evidence of their correlation with inflammatory bowel disease symptoms, respiratory complications, and other adverse effects.
Toxic Chemical Additives:
Plastics often contain toxic chemical additives, such as phthalates, PFAS, flame retardants, and bisphenols. These additives are linked to serious health conditions, including cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, developmental problems, impaired immunity, and neurodevelopmental disorders. They can leach into our food and drinks, especially in lower pH products, and escape into indoor air, exposing families through dust. The universal exposure of pregnant women to these toxic ingredients also means that children are exposed to plastics that can harm their development, even before birth.
Environmental Impact and Health Hazards:
The production and disposal of plastics have severe environmental consequences, particularly affecting local communities, workers, and vulnerable populations. "Cancer Alley" in the United States, a region with high petrochemical production, has cancer rates much higher than the national average, disproportionately impacting majority-Black communities. Additionally, the combustion products of plastics like PVC/vinyl contribute to air pollution, posing serious health risks to those near incinerators and landfills.
Oil-Associated Hazards:
As 99% of plastics are derived from chemicals of fossil origin, there are associated short and long-term health hazards. These include respiratory symptoms and adverse neurological effects, such as stress and generalized anxiety disorder.
Endocrine Disruption:
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics can interfere with hormone activity, leading to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments. This disruption can occur even at low doses and has been linked to birth defects and developmental issues in children.
While further research is needed to fully comprehend the complex health effects of plastics, the existing scientific evidence underscores the urgency of addressing plastic pollution and reducing plastic usage to protect human health and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
There are over 13,000 chemicals associated with plastics and plastic production. Many of these are toxic and can negatively impact human health and the environment.
Some examples of toxic chemicals found in plastics include phthalates, PFAS, flame retardants, styrene, and bisphenols.
Toxic chemicals in plastics can affect human health in various ways, including causing cancer, disrupting hormones, and impairing reproductive, growth, and cognitive functions.
Plastics contribute to pollution at extraction sites, expose workers to harmful chemicals, cause air pollution from waste incineration, and contaminate water and soil.
Organizations like Toxic-Free Future are advocating for the elimination of dangerous chemicals in plastics to protect public health. The UN Environment Programme has also published a report calling for urgent action to address the issue of chemicals in plastics as part of global action on plastic pollution.
