‘Hidden’ plastic that might kill you

Most of the more than 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic ever produced haven’t been recycled and remain in the environment somewhere and in some form. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade, it just breaks down into smaller pieces. Some of the larger plastic pieces are gobbled up by sea birds and mammals, often resulting in their strangulation, starvation or suffocation. Other pieces break down into particles so small that they can only be seen with a microscope, making them airborne and potentially dangerous.

How mobile? In a paper published in the Journal Science, researchers discovered microplastic in dust collected from otherwise pristine wilderness areas. The plastic they found primarily came from shedding synthetic clothing. Another study found that microplastic is able to invade the root systems of vegetables and fruit trees, probably through water, and into the food we eat.

We probably don’t need more evidence that plastic is everywhere. What would be helpful is to know the health implications of breathing and consuming it. Plastic contains toxins and chemicals like bisphenol A and phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to reduced fertility and other hormone problems.

Plastic has long provided many benefits to human health – from medical catheters to product packaging that keeps food fresher for longer. No one is suggesting we banish all plastic – just that we restrict usage only to what is necessary.