Experts Sound Alarm on Plastic Pollution Crisis

A global collective of health experts is ringing the alarm in The Lancet about an escalating crisis: plastic pollution. Their latest report highlights the alarming cradle-to-grave implications of plastic production, stressing its ever-growing threat to human health and the urgent need for policies to combat this critical issue.

The Plastic Menace Grows

From large debris to invisible microplastics, the forms of plastic pollution are vast and multiplying at an astonishing rate. Since 1950, global plastic production has skyrocketed over 200 times, according to CBS News coverage. The report’s co-authors label this plastic epidemic a "grave, growing and under-recognized danger," projecting that, if unchecked, production could triple within the next 35 years.

Health Risks From Cradle to Grave

The leading author, Philip Landrigan, emphasized the urgent need for action against the plastic crisis. Both the creation and disposal of plastic pose serious health risks. The extraction of fossil fuels to make plastics can damage vital ecosystems and poison groundwater. Shockingly, less than 10% of plastic is recycled, with the majority ending up in overcrowded landfills or delicate natural habitats. Over time, these materials can leach harmful chemicals into the soil, water, and our food supply.

The risks associated with plastic pollution are particularly concerning for young children, potentially leading to reproductive issues, cognitive impairments, heart problems, and even cancer — accumulating to staggering public health costs of over a trillion dollars each year.

Environmental Catastrophe in the Making

In 2019 alone, plastic production emitted nearly 2 billion tons of greenhouse gases, according to the United Nations. The urgency of this matter has brought the UN to initiate global discussions aimed at establishing an international treaty to tackle the plastics crisis. Despite these efforts, recent negotiations ended in disappointment as oil-producing countries resisted efforts to limit plastic production, opting instead to focus on recycling and waste management.

Taking Action: What Can Be Done?

While policymakers may stall, researchers are busy developing innovative recycling and pollution detection technologies. But individual action is crucial, too. Households can make simple swaps to reduce plastic use, and communities can advocate for effective policies to confront the crisis. As experts warn that rising global temperatures combined with plastic pollution are already causing widespread disease and suffering, it’s clear that immediate change is not just necessary — it’s imperative.

Join the Fight Against Plastic Pollution