An editorial published today in the World Health Organization (WHO) Bulletin co-authored by IPEN with leading health experts underscores threats to human health from chemicals in plastics, including PFAS ‘forever chemicals,’ bisphenols, phthalates, and many other hazardous substances. Exposure to these endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastics can interfere with our bodies’ natural hormone systems and increase the risk of numerous chronic diseases, including cancer, neurodevelopmental harm, and infertility, all of which are increasing.
The experts’ editorial also notes the growing evidence showing that microplastics may increase the risk of respiratory, reproductive, and gastrointestinal harm and calls on delegates to the Plastics Treaty negotiations, which resume in Geneva this August, to center protections for human health and the environment in the international agreement. They also warn that projections suggest that plastic production could grow 300 percent by 2060.
“The litmus test for the Plastics Treaty is whether it will protect human health and the environment from toxic plastic chemicals, like phthalates, which are called “the everywhere and everyone chemicals” because they contaminate our bodies and the environment so pervasively,” said Bjorn Beeler, IPEN International Coordinator and a co-author of the editorial. “More plastic production means more pollution. That’s why the Treaty also needs to include provisions to cap and reduce plastic production, and not rely on false promises about failed solutions, like plastic recycling.”
“Safeguarding the human rights of present and future generations, particularly the rights of Indigenous Peoples who are most directly harmed by the plastics crisis, demands that the international community take strong, meaningful action. We need a human rights and human health focused Plastics Treaty to end the threats plastics pose to the Arctic and to healthy environments around the world,” said Pamela Miller, IPEN Co-chair and Executive Director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT). “Decades of experience show that very little plastic is ever recycled, and plastic recycling simply spreads toxic chemicals. We need real solutions that put our health first.”