Public health advocates are joining the fight against plastic pollution. Led by Dr. Nicholas Chartres from the University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, they have written a powerful editorial urging the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to take bold action. According to the WWF, global plastic production is predicted to triple by 2060. It is no question that this frightening trend underscores the urgency of a strong international treaty to address this ever-increasing threat. The editorial emphasizes these eight important points for the UNEP to consider. All of these points are critical to ongoing negotiations to develop an international legally-binding treaty to address plastic pollution.
Dr. Chartres and his colleagues would like us to understand that plastics are not just harmful environmental contaminants. They present significant health hazards due to their constituents. The health impacts of plastic pollution are extensive, as more than 4,200 chemicals used in plastic production have been marked as hazardous. Among these are per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” along with phthalates and bisphenols, both of which are known endocrine disruptors.
The Health Risks of Plastics
Environmental pollution is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the dangers posed by plastics. These chemicals include phthalates, Bisphenol A (BPA), and many others that are known to disrupt the body’s endocrine systems.
Ways endocrine-disrupting chemicals harm your health
1. They have been found to be associated with reproductive harm, developmental harm, and cancer risk.
Microplastics—small pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in size—increase these risks. Science shows that they can make respiratory, reproductive, and gastrointestinal injuries from those crashes more likely to occur. Furthermore, research found an alarming association between microplastics and certain cancers. As Dr. Chartres states, “The health implications are alarming, and we cannot afford to ignore them any longer.”
The myriad of chemicals contained in plastics poses many risks to human health. They pose serious threats to environmental safety. These chemicals persist for decades in the environment, introducing a cycle of pollution. This staunch insistence not only threatens sensitive wildlife, but it undermines natural ecosystems.
Recommendations for the Treaty
In light of these significant challenges, Dr. Chartres and his co-authors argue that the forthcoming treaty should not only focus on managing existing pollution but prioritize capping and reducing plastic production at the source. This kind of proactive, targeted action is critical to address this growing problem before it gets further out of hand.
Environmental advocates are urging the UNEP to adopt binding rules to curb the manufacturing of virgin plastics. They call for incentives to encourage safer alternatives that prevent harm to human health and the environment. Further, they recommend ways to advance the use of biodegradable materials and push recycling practices to lessen our dependence on new plastic products.
One of their other top recommendations is to implement and strengthen monitoring systems including publicly available reporting on new plastic production and waste management. These types of systems would better enable us to measure progress, pinpoint where we need to do better, and ensure that industries are paying for their environmental externalities.
The Path Forward
The UNEP is also pushing forward negotiations for a legally-binding treaty to address plastic pollution. We appreciate Dr. Chartres and his colleagues sharing these important lessons to help inform the development of effective policies that put public health first while protecting our environment. As it stands, plastic production is about to increase by 40%. We need to act quickly today to avert that tomorrow’s looming public health catastrophe.
The call for a global treaty speaks to the emerging understanding that environmental health and human health are inextricably linked. It’s time for the new administration and all policymakers to listen to the professionals’ recommendations. By standing firm against plastic industry opposition, they can stand up for current and future generations against the harm of plastic pollution.