4. Plastics and Health

In the documentary Plastic People, Ziya Tong and Ben Addelman describe how we are “slowly turning into plastic people,” consuming microplastics in our food and breathing them in from the air. Once within the body, plastics could potentially cause fertility issues, obesity and cancer.

Plastic in the body also comes from textiles including toothbrushes, polystyrene containers and non-stick pans. Microplastics are a contaminant different to other types, their physical presence causing inflammation responses alongside chemical and leachate issues (Jeanette Rotchell, PhD).

In one faecal sample, cotton and plastic fibres, including polypropylene, polyester and rayon, were found. Everyone has plastic inside them, and potentially severe health consequences await us.

Microplastics are “a transport mechanism for getting bad chemicals into people” (Dr Pete Myers). Chemicals are added to improve the properties of plastics, but can leach out causing unknown harm.

BPA (bisphenol A) is a well-known chemical found in many plastic products (Rick Smith, Slow Death by Rubber Duck). BPA can leach into food and beverages, and there is a link between these chemicals and human disease including breast and prostate cancer and obesity. Chemicals like phthalates are also disruptive to human hormone health and the sensitive endocrine system.

Dioxins formed in the incineration of plastic can damage the nervous system, kidneys and liver (Dr Gavin Ten Tusscher). There is a positive correlation between the increase in plastic production and cancer rates in these areas, although there may be many factors at play. 

Barbro Melgert researched one nylon factory where 30% of the employees had lung problems.

Dale Jurasek, a former worker at a chemical plant in Texas, USA, suffered significant health problems, including boils on his neck. He was in excruciating pain and temporarily lost feeling in his legs. Tests showed that he had plastic chemicals within his body. Jurasek suffers from memory loss and can’t recall his childhood. According to his doctor, he “got hit with a high dose of benzine,” affecting his ability to work for life. 

It’s difficult to assess the damages done by plastic because companies are reluctant to detail ingredients of their products. We don’t know what we’re being exposed to.

Read our next blog to find out more about Plastics and Fertility…