How Do Plastic Impact Human Health?

While plastic offers many benefits and it's hard to imagine a world without it, there is growing concern about the impact of plastics on our well-being. From food packaging to household items, plastics have become a part of our daily lives.

However, scientists and health experts have raised growing concerns about how plastic affects human health. Many plastics contain toxic chemicals, such as BPA and phthalates, which can leach into our food, drinking water, and even the air we breathe. At the same time, tiny microplastic particles that shed from larger plastic items have been found everywhere.

Research now suggests that these chemicals and microplastic particles may interfere with hormones, weaken the immune system, contribute to chronic inflammation, and increase the risk of various diseases.

That's why in this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how plastic impacts human health, the science behind these risks, and what you can do to reduce your exposure to this harmful material in simple, practical ways.

What Is Plastic And Why Does It Affect Human Health?

According to Britannica, plastics are synthetic materials made primarily from polymers, long chains of repeating molecules that can be molded into countless shapes using heat and pressure. Their lightweight, durability, and low production cost have made plastic one of the most widely used materials on Earth.

So, why does plastic affect our affect human health? Well, its chemical makeup and long-lasting nature are exactly what raise concerns.

To start, it is important to note that not all plastics are created equal when it comes to their impact on human health. Some plastics, labeled with recycling codes 2, 4, and 5, are considered safer options because they are less likely to leach harmful chemicals into our food and beverages.

On the other hand, plastics labeled with recycling codes 3, 6, and 7 should be used with caution because they are more likely to contain harmful chemicals that can be released into the environment during production, use, and disposal.

Additionally, plastic can also breakdown from larger pieces into smaller tiny pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters, known as microplastics. According to The Guardian, microplastics have been found in human blood, breast milk, and even placentas.

Summary: While plastic is a versatile material that comes with many benefits, it also has a significant impact on our human health. This is due to the toxic chemicals being used in plastic production and the microplastics that can get into our food and water supply.

Photo: © Almost Green Studio via Getty Images

What Are The Health Risks Associated With Plastics?

One of the biggest concerns about plastics is their impact on human health. While plastics have become an everyday convenience, exposure to harmful chemicals and microplastics can lead to a wide range of negative health effects, including:

• Hormone Disruption: According to the National Institutes of Health, some plastics contain harmful chemicals that are known to cause endocrine disruptors. They can interfere with the body's hormonal system and can lead to a variety of health problems.
• Cancer: According to Breastcancer.org, some of the chemicals in plastic products, such as bisphenol A (BPA), may increase the risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.
• Immune System Problems: Another study by the National Institutes of Health claims that exposure to plastic at a certain level can cause damage to tissues and organs and weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to infections.

Beyond these major concerns, plastic exposure has also been associated with cardiovascular disease (linked to microplastic accumulation in the bloodstream), neurological problems (due to chemical interference with brain function), respiratory issues (from inhaling microplastic particles in the air), and digestive problems (caused by ingesting microplastics through food and water).

Summary: Plastics contain a variety of harmful chemicals, some of which can leach and be absorbed into the human body when we eat or drink. Studies have linked exposure to plastic with a range of health issues, including hormonal disruptions, reproductive problems, cancer, and immune system problems.

Photo: © Almost Green Studio via Getty Images

How Can We Reduce Our Exposure To Harmful Plastics?

While it may be impossible to completely avoid plastics in our modern world, there are many practical steps we can take to significantly reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and microplastics. By making these intentional changes, we can protect both our health and the environment:

• Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Plastic bags, straws, and disposable water bottles are a major source of plastic pollution and can leach harmful chemicals into our food and drinks. Opt for reusable alternatives whenever possible, such as reusable water bottles, stainless steel straws, and reusable shopping bags.

• Limit Microwaving Food In Plastic Containers: Heat can cause plastic chemicals to melt and leach into your food and drinks. So, when microwaving food, choose glass or metal containers over plastic whenever possible.

• Avoid Plastic Products That Contain Phthalates, BPA, And Other Harmful Chemicals: These chemicals are known to disrupt the endocrine system and have been linked to a variety of health problems. Opt for natural and eco-friendly alternatives whenever possible, such as using bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic.

• Filter Your Drinking Water: A water filter help remove microplastics and other contaminants from your drinking water. Opt for reusable water bottles made from safe materials such as stainless steel can also help reduce your exposure to unnecessary harmful plastics.

And be mindful of plastic in food packaging, especially fatty foods like cheese or meat, that can absorb higher levels of plastic chemicals.

Summary: There are a number of things we can do to reduce our exposure to harmful plastics, such as avoiding single-use plastics and plastic products that contain harmful chemicals, limiting microwaving food in plastic containers, and filtering our drinking water. By following these tips, we can reduce our exposure to plastic and protect our health.

Quick Takeaway

Plastic is undeniably a versatile material that has transformed our modern life. However, its convenience also comes with proven risks to human health. This is primarily due to the toxic chemicals used in the production and microplastics that contaminate our food, drinking water, and even the air we breathe.

Exposure to these substances has been linked to a range of serious health concerns, including hormone disruption, increased cancer risk, immune system damage, and potential adverse effects on the brain, heart, and reproductive system.

As research continues to uncover more about the long-term consequences of plastic exposure, it becomes clear that reducing our contact is not just environmentally responsible, it is also important for protecting our overall well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions Relate To This Blog:

Question #1: How do we get exposed to plastic?

Answer: There are 2 main ways humans can be exposed to plastic. First, we may accidentally ingest plastic particles through our food and water. Second, plastic particles can also be absorbed through our skin, especially when we come into contact with contaminated water or soil.

Question #2: What are the health risks we may face from being exposed to plastic?

Answer: Plastics contain a variety of harmful chemicals that can cause negative health effects when being exposed, some of which can lead to lung issues, endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, immune system problems, and even cancer.

Question #3: What can I do to reduce my exposure to plastic?

Answer: According to Bon Appétit, microplastics can be found in most of our food and water supply. So if you are concerned about being exposed to plastic, you should avoid heating your food in plastic containers and opt for a certified water filter to remove them.

Question #4: What else can plastic pollution affect outside of human health?

Answer: Plastic can also impact wildlife health, according to Earth.Org, over 100,000 marine animals die from ingestion or entanglement in plastic debris each year, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Approximately over 1 million sea birds also die from plastic annually!