Silent Crisis, Plastic and Microplastics,
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There is evidence that PM exposure is linked to heart and liver disease, kidney failure, and cognitive problems such as dementia (EWG 2024).
Plastics, microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) are a concern that continues to increase due to their persistence in the environment and taking hundreds to thousands of years to degrade. Studies have found MP and NP in the brain (TENDR 2024), causing harm to human health and other organisms. MP has also been found in the placenta (Garcia 2024), in the blood of humans (Marfella 2024) and in the air we breathe (CIEL 2024). Even more alarming, MPs are directly affecting the reproductive health of men and women. Researchers analyzed 23 human testes and 47 dog testes and found MPs in each sample (Hu 2024). Humans had three times more plastic in their testicles than dogs. In the study, the testes of dogs with higher MP concentrations had lower sperm levels. There is evidence that PM exposure is linked to heart and liver disease, kidney failure, and cognitive problems such as dementia (EWG 2024).
Plastic is one of the most produced and used materials on planet Earth. In the era of industrialization, it was considered a marvel for its variety of uses. In the 80s and 90s there was an explosion in the global production, distribution and use of plastics. Recycling was presented as a solution to reduce and deal with the problem of plastic in landfills, open dumpsites, contaminated bodies of water, and the threat to wildlife. The United States (US) only recycles 5% of its plastic waste (BP 2024). Demonstrating that recycling in the US is a false solution and that said material is sent to poor countries (McCormick 2019). Affecting the health of millions of people of color and disadvantaged. Thus, contaminating the waters, the land and putting the health of the most vulnerable at risk. It is estimated that there are more than 16,000 chemicals associated with plastics or their production (PPC 2024). From extraction, during processing and disposal, they present various routes of exposure to these additives (CIEL 2024). These have not been properly evaluated and regulated to understand their health impact. Putting the chemical industry above the human right to know and the right to toxic-free water, air and land. It is important to consider the negative synergistic effects of plastics and climate change, which is significantly affecting the most vulnerable, especially in communities living in the Arctic (ACAT 2024).
As citizens we must demand urgent legislation that addresses the single-use plastic crisis. We must demand from the industry an extended producer responsibility to consider responsible management throughout the process of design, manufacturing, and final disposal of the product. We must demand that the government support international agreements such as the Plastics Treaty and the Stockholm Convention.
We must prioritize studies that address the problem with a mental health lens. To understand the serious problem of excessive plastic consumerism in the US and the world we must promote the connection of human beings with their natural world. Also, we must integrate just transition in all social areas, foster circular economy, better governance, green technology, prioritizing food security and an educational system that promotes sustainability.
Plastic is one of the most produced and used materials on planet Earth. In the era of industrialization, it was considered a marvel for its variety of uses. In the 80s and 90s there was an explosion in the global production, distribution and use of plastics. Recycling was presented as a solution to reduce and deal with the problem of plastic in landfills, open dumpsites, contaminated bodies of water, and the threat to wildlife. The United States (US) only recycles 5% of its plastic waste (BP 2024). Demonstrating that recycling in the US is a false solution and that said material is sent to poor countries (McCormick 2019). Affecting the health of millions of people of color and disadvantaged. Thus, contaminating the waters, the land and putting the health of the most vulnerable at risk. It is estimated that there are more than 16,000 chemicals associated with plastics or their production (PPC 2024). From extraction, during processing and disposal, they present various routes of exposure to these additives (CIEL 2024). These have not been properly evaluated and regulated to understand their health impact. Putting the chemical industry above the human right to know and the right to toxic-free water, air and land. It is important to consider the negative synergistic effects of plastics and climate change, which is significantly affecting the most vulnerable, especially in communities living in the Arctic (ACAT 2024).
As citizens we must demand urgent legislation that addresses the single-use plastic crisis. We must demand from the industry an extended producer responsibility to consider responsible management throughout the process of design, manufacturing, and final disposal of the product. We must demand that the government support international agreements such as the Plastics Treaty and the Stockholm Convention.
We must prioritize studies that address the problem with a mental health lens. To understand the serious problem of excessive plastic consumerism in the US and the world we must promote the connection of human beings with their natural world. Also, we must integrate just transition in all social areas, foster circular economy, better governance, green technology, prioritizing food security and an educational system that promotes sustainability.
Dr. Samarys Seguinot-Medina is Boricua, director of environmental health at ACAT
and resides in Dena’ina lands, Alaska.
and resides in Dena’ina lands, Alaska.