A Deep Dive into the Growing Threat to Human Health, the Environment, and the Urgent Need for Action

A new expert review warns that plastics pose a "grave, growing and under-recognised danger" to human and planetary health, causing disease and death and costing at least $1.5 trillion annually in health-related damages. The crisis is driven by a massive increase in plastic production, primarily single-use items, leading to widespread pollution.

Plastic endangers people and the planet throughout its lifecycle, from fossil fuel extraction to disposal, causing air pollution, exposure to toxic chemicals, and microplastic infiltration. Less than 10% of plastic is recycled.

The review, published in a leading medical journal, highlights the need for a global plastics treaty. The impacts fall heavily on vulnerable populations, especially infants and children.

The report emphasizes that recycling alone is insufficient, as plastics are not easily recycled. Plastic production, primarily from fossil fuels, contributes significantly to climate change and air pollution.

Plastics contain thousands of chemicals linked to health issues. Foetuses, infants, and children are particularly vulnerable. Microplastics enter the body, and while their impact is still being studied, they have been linked to serious health problems.

The scientists argue that the true cost of plastic is underestimated. The new analysis is the start of a series of reports to inform policies addressing plastic pollution.