More than 100 countries have united behind a proposal to create a legally binding treaty that limits plastic production. This collective action is out of a growing awareness of the detrimental health and environmental impacts of plastic pollution. Yet in spite of this growing international consensus, it has faced fierce pushback from the initiative’s biggest petro-state opponents, such as Saudi Arabia. The proposal would make a big step toward addressing a deepening crisis that harms all of our nation’s health. This is true for everyone, from babies to seniors.
Microplastics have begun to penetrate our own bodies in shocking studies this year, and even possibly directly affecting human health. These microscopic plastic particles have already been detected in human blood, brains, breast milk, placentas, semen, and bone marrow. These kinds of findings underscore the fundamental and insidious ways that plastic pollution, on many levels, has the ability to harm human health.
Plastic pollution has soared to astounding levels, with an estimated 8 billion tonnes currently scattered across the globe. Plastic pollution has even been found on these most remote of peaks, including Mount Everest. It has since turned up in the deepest ocean trenches as well. Plastic production has more than quadrupled just since 1990. This extreme spike has wreaked havoc on the surrounding environment and poses dire threats to the public’s health.
The health impacts of this crisis are staggering. Plastic pollution already causes at least $1.5 trillion each year in health-related damages. It has been shown to increase risks for myriad diseases, impacting people from premature babies to the elderly. Professor Philip Landrigan emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, stating, “The impacts fall most heavily on vulnerable populations, especially infants and children.” He continued that “they lead to large economic burdens on society. We are duty-bound to follow suit.
A substantial body of peer-reviewed literature connects plastic pollution to a range of serious health risks. Many governments and businesses remain unwilling to take bold action. Petro-states, particularly those heavily invested in oil and gas production, have been vocal in their opposition to any caps on plastic production. They maintain that any such measures would jeopardize their long-term economic interests.
The report detailing these developments aims to provide decision-makers with robust data necessary for crafting effective policies to combat plastic pollution. Margaret Spring remarked, “The reports will offer decision-makers around the world a robust and independent data source to inform the development of effective policies addressing plastic pollution at all levels.” This further emphasizes the need for grounded research to inform local responses to this crisis.
In light of these revelations, it’s clear experts across the board that improving recycling just isn’t enough. Professor Landrigan stated, “It is now clear that the world cannot recycle its way out of the plastic pollution crisis.” This last assertion indicates newfound appreciation that systemic changes are needed to address the harm caused by plastics.
With plastics being made from more than 16,000 different chemicals, U.S. As the new report demonstrates, many of these hazardous chemicals present extreme risks to human health and the environment. Microplastics are rapidly invading food chains and ecosystems. With a little luck, their influence will extend well beyond the short-term health effects.