Alexei Volkov
Plastic is a cost-effective and sanitary way to transport and market goods, especially food. However, plastic pollution poses a serious threat to all life on Earth due to the toxic nature of the chemical additives used during production. These toxic additives can cause cancer, lung disease, birth defects, endocrine disruption, and reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairment. Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, have been found in seafood, tap water, bottled water, and commonly consumed beverages. They can enter the human body through ingestion or inhalation and cause health issues such as inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and necrosis, which are linked to negative health outcomes. While the full extent of microplastics' impact on human health is still being studied, their presence in the environment and food chain is a growing concern.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic particles in the air | Microplastics have been found in the air, soil, and water, and are constantly inhaled and ingested by humans through contaminated seafood, tap water, bottled water, and commonly consumed beverages. |
| Plastic in the food chain | Plastic accumulates in food chains through agricultural soils, terrestrial and aquatic food chains, and the water supply. Animals ingest plastic, and it may enter our food chain. |
| Toxic chemical additives | Plastics contain toxic chemical additives that threaten human health. These additives can cause cancer, endocrine disruption (changing hormone activity), reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairment, and other health issues. |
| Impact on vulnerable groups | Vulnerable groups, including children, women, workers in the informal waste sector, and marginalized communities, are particularly exposed to plastic pollution, raising concerns about human rights and environmental injustice. |
| Longevity of plastic pollution | Plastic pollution is persistent and may take between 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. |
| Health impact uncertainties | While plastic is known to have severe health impacts, there are still uncertainties and knowledge gaps in understanding the full extent of the effects of microplastics on human health. |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics in food and water
Plastic pollution is a serious threat to all life on Earth, and it is particularly concerning due to the difficulty of removing plastic from the environment once it has entered ecosystems. Microplastics, or plastic particles smaller than grains of rice, have been found in the environment and various foods in recent years. They are present in the soil, water, seafood, meat, milk, and blood of animals, and are therefore likely to enter the human food chain.
Microplastics have been detected in drinking water, with the amounts varying greatly between individual samples and water types. They have also been found in tea brewed from plastic tea bags, bottled water, and seafood. A study found that people with microplastics or nanoplastics in the arteries of their necks were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or die from any cause over the next three years than those without. Another study found that for every 100 grams (1/2 cup) of rice consumed, there was an intake of three to four milligrams of plastic.
The small size of microplastics means that they are often consumed by animals and plants, and they can accumulate in the digestive system and move to other parts of the body. They can also act as vessels for pathogens to enter our system, increasing the spread of diseases. Microplastics have been found to carry toxic chemicals that cause cancer, lung disease, and birth defects. They can also cause endocrine disruption, leading to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairment.
While research institutions and international authorities are working to determine the amount of microplastics we are exposed to and whether this amount is harmful, there is currently no advice from official authorities indicating that we need to change our eating behaviour or avoid certain foods to steer clear of microplastics. However, if you are concerned about microplastics in drinking water, you can use an active carbon filter on your tap water or drink tap water from glass or stainless steel containers to reduce exposure.
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Plastic toxins in the air
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to human health. At every stage of their lifecycle, plastics negatively impact human health, from the extraction of fossil fuels to production, manufacturing, use, recycling, and disposal.
Plastics release toxic emissions into the air during the extraction of fossil fuels, contributing to air pollution. The burning of plastics, a common disposal method, releases hazardous substances such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and other toxic chemicals, which can travel long distances through wind currents. These pollutants have been linked to various health issues, including endocrine disruption, reproductive and neurodevelopmental impairments, and cancer.
The production and use of plastics result in the release of microplastics and nanoplastics into the atmosphere. These tiny plastic particles can be transported thousands of kilometers in a matter of days to weeks, affecting locations and populations far from the sources of plastic pollution. Microplastics have been detected in the air we breathe, and their small size allows them to be easily inhaled, entering our airways and reaching the deepest parts of our lungs.
The health impacts of microplastics are a growing concern. While research is still ongoing, initial studies suggest that microplastics can act as vessels for pathogens, increasing the spread of diseases. They have also been linked to endocrine disruption, affecting hormone activity and leading to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments. The presence of microplastics in the human body has been confirmed, with studies finding them in lung and muscular tissue, as well as in the bloodstream, where they can contribute to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
The pervasive nature of plastic pollution, exacerbated by the difficulty of removing plastics from the environment, underscores the urgency of addressing this global health crisis. Regulatory action is needed to reduce plastic production, improve recycling processes, and phase out hazardous chemicals to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic toxins in the air.
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Health effects on children
Plastic is a cost-effective and sanitary way to transport and market goods, especially food. Plastic is so ubiquitous that it is used even in unnecessary situations, such as providing an extra layer of plastic packaging for fruits with skins, like bananas.
However, plastic is harmful to human health, especially to children and infants in the womb, as the early stages of human development are particularly sensitive to hazardous chemicals in the environment. Children are vulnerable to the toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics, which threaten human health on a global scale.
A South Korean study in 2023 suggested that microplastics stimulate the release of endocrine disruptors in our bodies. Endocrine disruption can lead to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that microplastics significantly damage cells in the human body, leading to serious health effects, including cancers, lung disease, and birth defects.
Children are also exposed to plastic waste in the environment, which means that Bisphenol A (BPA) leaches into rivers and soil and eventually back into their bodies through food or drinking water. BPA is added to plastic to create a special form called polycarbonate plastic, used in making robust, impact-resistant materials for everything from food and drink packaging to DVD cases and medical devices. While the short half-life of BPA in adult humans means that it is rapidly excreted in a matter of hours, the younger you are, the higher the levels of BPA in your body. Studies have shown that the accumulation of BPA in infants can have adverse developmental consequences, leading to neurobehavioural and immune system abnormalities.
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Cancer and birth defects
Plastic is harmful to human health at every stage of its lifecycle, from its initial production to its disposal. The impact of plastic on human health has been observed in communities adjacent to plastic production and waste disposal sites, as well as in workers in high-risk industries. The health impacts of plastic range from cancer and lung disease to birth defects and other developmental diseases.
Cancer
The link between plastic and cancer has been observed in several studies. Plastic production and disposal processes release numerous toxic air contaminants, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, which have been linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including breast, bladder, colon, lung, lymphoma, and prostate cancers. The burning of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, for example, releases toxic smoke containing dioxins, which are known breast carcinogens.
Additionally, plastics may contain toxic, cancer-causing chemicals such as vinyl chloride, which is used to make PVC. Other chemicals found in plastics, such as bisphenol A (BPA), have been studied for their potential cancer-causing effects, although the evidence for their direct impact on humans is limited.
Birth Defects
Plastics have also been implicated in birth defects and reproductive abnormalities. Microplastics have been detected in the placentas of unborn babies, raising concerns about their potential impact on fetal development. While the health effects of microplastics in the body are not yet fully understood, they may carry chemicals that could cause long-term damage or disrupt the fetus's developing immune system.
Furthermore, certain plastic additives, such as DEHP, have been linked to reproductive abnormalities. Studies have shown that DEHP can cause an excessive number of double-strand DNA breaks and alter chromosome length, leading to potential abnormalities in humans.
The presence of plastic in the human bloodstream has also been suggested to induce hematotoxicity and disturb metabolic, Jak/Stat, and T cell homeostasis pathways. While more research is needed to confirm these effects, the impact of plastic on human health, including its potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, is a growing concern.
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Impact on marginalised communities
Plastic pollution is a global crisis that poses a serious threat to human health, with vulnerable and marginalised communities bearing the brunt of its harmful effects. The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics have severe health consequences, including cancer, endocrine disruption, respiratory problems, and adverse neurological effects such as stress and anxiety. These toxic chemicals can enter the human body through various pathways, including the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.
Marginalised communities, including racial minorities, low-income populations, and women, are disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution due to systemic injustices and inequalities. In the United States, "Cancer Alley" in Louisiana, where petrochemical plants are concentrated, has seen skyrocketing cancer rates, particularly in nearby Black communities. The placement of these plants is linked to environmental racism, as minority and low-income neighbourhoods are targeted for fracking and shale gas extraction, exposing residents to contaminated groundwater, toxic air, and methane leaks.
Similarly, waste management sites and incinerators are often deliberately located near marginalised communities, resulting in long-lasting health issues, especially higher mortality from respiratory diseases. Additionally, women face increased risks due to higher aggregate exposure to plastics in household products and feminine care items, exacerbating gender-related disparities.
The impact of plastic pollution on vulnerable communities extends beyond health issues. It undermines sustainable development goals, including those related to poverty eradication, food security, and access to justice. Marginalised communities, already struggling economically, bear the additional burden of pollution costs imposed by powerful multinational plastic producers. This dynamic further exacerbates existing inequalities and highlights the need for environmental justice and inclusive decision-making processes that empower affected communities.
Addressing the impact of plastic pollution on marginalised communities requires urgent action from governments, international organisations, and civil society. This includes expanding plastic waste monitoring, enforcing bans on single-use plastics, improving waste management practices, and advocating for the inclusion of affected communities in decisions regarding plastic production, use, and disposal. By recognising the intersection of environmental issues with social justice, human rights, and community empowerment, we can work towards mitigating the disproportionate impact of plastic pollution on marginalised communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 millimetres in size. They have been found in seafood, tap water, bottled water, beer, salt, human blood, and even the air we breathe. Microplastics can carry toxic chemicals known to cause cancer, lung disease, and birth defects. They can also act as vessels for pathogens, increasing the spread of diseases.
Plastic affects humans at every stage of its lifecycle, from extraction to disposal. During the extraction of oil and gas, fracking releases toxic substances into the air and water, impacting human health. Plastic waste contaminates the environment and accumulates in food chains, leading to direct or indirect human exposure.
Plastic exposure has been linked to various health issues, including cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, neurological problems, impaired lung growth, childhood cancer, and developmental toxicity. The toxic chemical additives in plastics can cause severe health issues and persist in the environment.
