Plastics the environment and human health pdf

Plastics, currently the universal workhorse materials of modern economy, because of their low cost and varied functional properties are posing serious threat to environment and consumers health in many direct and indirect ways. Their presence in food destined for human consumption and in air samples has been reported. Classification plastics can devided into two general categories and they are 1. Microplastics and human healthan urgent problem the lancet. Human health impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics. Jan 23, 2018 plastics, currently the universal workhorse materials of modern economy, because of their low cost and varied functional properties are posing serious threat to environment and consumers health in many direct and indirect ways. See the adverse health effects grid for a list of commonly used plastics and their known health effects. This report was compiled by gothenburg university and serves as an update to a report summarizing knowledge of the exposure and responses of wildlife to mps that was produced by researchers at orebro university in 2016. Human exposure occurs primarily through ingestion both from diet and from suckingmouthing plastic items, and through dermal contact. Public and environmental health effects of plastic wastes disposal. Yet the chemical compounds within plastic can damage human health. A comprehensive 2019 study performed by the center for international environment law and other institutions has shown the many and potentially devastating effects that plastic poses to our. Bpa mimics certain human hormones and can thus disrupt the endocrine system, resulting in adverse health effects such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, miscarriages, birth defects, early puberty, low sperm. The harmful effects of plastic on human health and the.

Much is due to the nature of plastic itself, which. Download the report the epa trash free waters program convened a panel of scientific experts on april 23, 2014. Plastics are essential materials in modern civilization, and many products manufactured from plastics and in numerous cases, they promote risks to human health and the environment. Environmental and health hazards of chemicals in plastic. While selected citations are given to original sources of information, we primarily refer the reader to the discussion of a particular topic, and the associated references, in the theme issue papers. One of the most ubiquitous and longlasting recent changes to the surface of our planet is the accumulation and fragmentation of plastics, wrote david barnes, a lead author and. Thompson 2009 plastics, the environment and human health current consensus and future trends. But the synthetic material also has left harmful imprints on the environment and perhaps human health.

The impact of environmental risk factors on health are extremely varied and complex in both severity and clinical significance. It is no surprise then that there are adverse effects on human health, alongside the environmental impacts, due to the often toxic component chemicals. Plastics and environmental sustainability wiley online books. Despite being one of the most pervasive materials on the planet, plastic and its impact on human health remain poorly understood. Covers postconsumer fate of plastics on land and in the oceans, highlighting the environmental impacts of disposal methods details toxicity of plastics, particularly as it applies to human health presents a clear analysis of the key plasticrelated issues including numerous citations of the research base that supports and contradicts the. The plastic with its worst impact on our community and environment is the one that we use and throw, such as water bottles, plastic bags, sachets, pouches or other packaging. Aside from the devastating impact on the planets health, plastic s impact on human health has been insidious. Details toxicity of plastics, particularly as it applies to human health presents a clear analysis of the key plasticrelated issues including numerous citations of the research base that supports and contradicts the popularly held notions. Impacts of plastic products used in daily life on the. Swan4 1marine biology and ecology research centre, marine institute, university of plymouth, drake circus, plymouth pl4 8aa, uk. Research based on plastics proves their injurious nature towards human health in many direct or indirect ways.

Mar 23, 2016 aside from the devastating impact on the planets health, plastic s impact on human health has been insidious. Swan4 1marine biology and ecology research centre, marine institute, university of plymouth. As plastic production increases, this exposure will read more. Ecological and human health impacts science for environment policy indepth reports plastic waste. For example, recent campaigns have highlighted the buildup of microbeads in the marine. Pvc is used for everything from pipes and flooring to furniture and clothes, but it contains compounds called phthalates that have been implicated in male. Micro plastics and their implications for human health. Illustration of additional effects of plastics in transport of. Microplastics are a pollutant of environmental concern. Plus plastic microplastics found in global bottled water. Relationship between bpa concentrations in leachate and per capita gdp of asian countries 20 16. Jul 27, 2009 the content draws upon papers submitted to this theme issue on plastics, the environment and human health together with other sources. There is strong evidence that your body is at stake people are exposed to plastics and their additives every day in a variety of ways.

Rising concern about the impact of plastics on environment and human health, has forced the industry to look for alternatives. Summary of expert discussion forum on possible human. The road ahead, notes that plastic is an ideal material for singleuse disposable devices, because theyre costeffective, require little energy to produce, and are lightweight and biocompatible. Polyvinyl chloride pvc is particularly noxious, owing to its formulated. Plastics are being used by bangladeshi people without knowing the toxic effects of plastic on human health and environment. Plastic pollution has dramatically hit the headlines over the past few years. A final consideration of plastic disposal comes from the release of pops and other toxic chemicals into the environment from the plastics themselves. In this concluding paper to the theme issue on plastics, the environment and human health, we synthesize current understanding. Plastics have been with us for more than a century, and by now theyre everywhere, for good and for ill. Increasing evidence exists that human health is influenced by our way of living and dealing with the environment. Plastic has become a ubiquitous part of modern life. Human health may ultimately be affecteddue to the transfer of these plastics and or contaminant chemicals e. However, we are becoming increasingly aware of the problems our reliance on plastic is causing in the environment. On this website, the plastic health coalition will regularly report on the projects known to us and research results worldwide.

The purpose of the forum was to discuss available data and studies on the issue of possible human health risks from microplastics in the marine environment. Thus, microplastic exposure via diet or inhalation could occur, the human health effects of which are unknown. A cheap, lightweight material, it is used in everything from food packaging to consumer electronics and microbeads in cosmetic products. Threat to human health from environmental plastics the bmj. Two broad classes of plasticrelated chemicals are of critical concern for human healthbisphenola or bpa, and additives used in the synthesis of. Plastics are inexpensive and durable, and as a result levels of plastic production by. In their work, the scholars, emily north and rolf halden of arizona state university, summarize relevant research findings on the benefits, dangers, disposal of, and future innovative potential for plastics. Summary of expert discussion forum on possible human health. Sep 25, 2017 time to pull our heads from the sand globally, an estimated 8. Before beginning this essay i want you to consider this question. In a society where inequalities exist, it becomes clear that a positive relation exists. Not only human health, it dangerously effects other animal life and alters the environment air,water and soil sustainability causing hazardous pollution.

The research projects are divided into four topics. Irrespective of any human health risks posed by exposure to microplastics in drinkingwater, measures should be taken by policy makers and the public to better manage plastics and reduce the use of plastics where possible, to minimize plastics released into the environment because these actions can confer other benefits to the environment and. We already know that many additives in plastic are considered extremely harmful, but there is no complete understanding of the effects of plastic itself on human health yet. Plastic containers and coatings help keep food fresh, but they can also leave behind neurotoxins such as bpa in the human body. The living environment role in the health of individuals evolves. We are incrementally using plastic to each passing year.

Plastic contamination of the environment american chemical. Such plastic garbage when comes in contact with soil, air and water, it. The extent of the impacts of plastic pollution is still largely unknown and remains. Plastics, human health and environmental impacts eldon james. Qlwlrqri3odvwlf plastic is an organic material manufactured from petroleum derivatives. Halden says he accepted the invitation to write about plastics and human health because the topic showcases the bigger problem of how to create a sustainable future for modern civilization. The overall aim of this thesis was to study the environmental and health hazards of chemicals in plastic polymers and products from a toxicological perspective. Decade after decade we have watched as prostate and breast cancer rates have risen, fertility rates in men have dropped, young girls have entered early puberty, young boys have become increasingly hyperactive and children have become fatter.

Research based on plastics proves their injurious nature towards human health in many direct or. Harmful effects of plastics on health and environment h. Ecological and human health impacts november 2011 15. The purpose of the forum was to discuss available data and studies on the issue of possible human health risks from. Jul 27, 2009 shaxson l 2009 structuring policy problems for plastics, the environment and human health.

Sources of marine pollution the connection to human health human health can be directly influenced by marine litter in the form of physical damage, e. As of 2015, 6300 million tonnes of plastic waste have been generated, around 9% of which was recycled, 12% was incinerated, and 79% ended up in landfills or the environment. It is clear, however, that humans are exposed as these particles are found in our seafood and water supply, in the air we breathe, and in the dust in our home. Jul 27, 2009 plastics have transformed everyday life. Papers that reported environmental and public health ef fects of plastic constituents.

A summary of the effects of plastic on human health. Summary of expert discussion forum on possible human health risks from microplastics in the marine environment. Microplastics and human healthan urgent problem the. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized into micro, meso, or macro debris, based on size. Different human health problems like irritation in the eye, vision failure, breathing difficulties.

It is no surprise then that there are adverse effects on human health, alongside the environmental impacts, due to the often. Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles e. Chemical migration from plastic packaging into contents people are exposed to these chemicals not only during manufacturing, but also by using plastic packages, because some chemicals migrate from the plastic packaging to the foods they contain. Eighty per cent of this astonishing mass has accumulated in land fill or the natural environment. Such plastic garbage when comes in contact with soil, air and water. Phthalates or phthalate esters are esters of phthalic acid mainly used as plasticizers substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility in poly vinyl chloride pvc. Due to the emerging nature of microplastics and nanoplastics, human information is lacking for exposure and health effects. Time to pull our heads from the sand globally, an estimated 8.

The longterm impact of mps on human health remains largely unknown since most studies to date have been limited to the impact on marine life consuming mps directly. Plastic packaging can help to protect human health by keeping food sterile. Impacts of plastics on the environment and human health. Science for environment policy indepth reports plastic waste. Human health may ultimately be affecteddue to the transfer of these plastics andor contaminant chemicals e. Two broad classes of plasticrelated chemicals are of critical concern for human healthbisphenola or bpa, and additives used in the synthesis of plastics, which are.

Plastic impact on human health we are incrementally using plastic to each passing year. The experts also were asked to identify data gaps and make. In this concluding paper to the theme issue on plastics, the environment and human health, we synthesize current understanding of the benefits and concerns surrounding the use of plastics and look to future priorities, challenges and opportunities. Chemical toxicity could occur due to the localised leaching of component monomers, endogenous additives, and adsorbed environmental pollutants. The world changes and it is important to analyse the relevance of the environment to health at the light of different factors. Think of all of the plastic that you have used this past week. Indirect health effects can be caused by chemicals, toxins or other harmful. Introduction concern for health has traditionally underlain much of the political priority given to environmental issues in oecd countries. Here, we consider the subject from seven perspectives. Ecological and human health impacts november 2011 contents executive summary 1 introduction 3 1.