What's Wrong with Plastic?

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Plastic is deadly to people and wildlife and harmful to environment. Here are just some of the numbers and and how they result in tragic consequences. This is why I recommend rejecting plastic wherever possible and buying biodegradable and non-toxic materials instead. 

*We’ve produced more plastic in the last 10 years than in the entire last century. Almost 400 million tons of plastic is still being produced each year despite all we know about how toxic it is. And plastic production is expected to triple by 2050.

*Plastic makes up 80 percent of all ocean pollution.

*An estimated 10 million tons of plastic enters the world’s oceans every year. 

*An estimated 170 million particles of plastic are afloat in the oceans right now and that number is expected to triple in 20 years if nothing is done. 

*By 2050, just 26 years from now, scientists estimate plastic in the ocean will outweigh all fish in the ocean.

*Microplastics have been found in human blood, tissue, organs and placentas. In studies, almost every fish examined was found to have microplastic debris in its tissue. 

*About half the plastic produced is for packaging, which is discarded quickly after use. 

*Ninety-nine percent of all plastic is still made from fossil fuels. 

*Plastic production releases tons of toxic greenhouse gasses that, in addition to poisoning area residents, wildlife and the environment, also heavily contribute to climate change. 

Millions of sea animals -- including birds -- are killed annually from plastic. It kills in several ways. 

-Entanglement, which can cause death via suffocation, starvation and vulnerability.

-Ingestion, which causes blocked digestive tracts and organ damage. 

-Pierced organs.

-Exposure to plastic's toxic chemicals. 

How about humans? 

*Many plastics contain phthalates, hormone-disrupting chemicals that damage our endocrine and reproductive systems. They can also cause cardiovascular, liver, kidney and genital diseases due to their toxicity and are also believed to be a risk factor for allergies, obesity and autoimmune diseases. A shocking 80 percent of all babies already have phthalates in their bodies.

*BPAs or Bisphenal A, is another toxic chemical found in some plastics. An estimated 93 percent of adults have BPAs in their urine. BPAs' health effects include harm to the prostate glands and brains of fetuses and children, behavioral issues, cardiovascular disease, risk for type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. 

*PBDEs are flame-retardant chemicals commonly used on foams like polyurethane foam found in furniture, mattresses, car seats and carpet pads. This stuff bioaccumulates in the body. It’s believed to be toxic to the thyroid, liver and pancreas, possibly cause cancer, neurological disorders and cause behavioral problems and have adverse effects on cognitive development. 

*Plastics often contain toxic PFAS and PFOA chemicals, the so-called forever chemicals. Other toxin chemicals commonly found in plastics include alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, UV stabilizers and many other non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). 

PVC is considered the most toxic and environmentally-damaging of all plastics. That’s the white plastic piping common in many homes and buildings. Often just called vinyl, it's also used in furniture, cars, toys, housewares, packaging, hospital supplies and more. It’s toxic throughout its life cycle, from manufacture to use to disposal and beyond as its toxic chemicals continue to contaminate the environment. Some of PVC’s toxic chemicals bioaccumulate in the body (we can’t get rid of them) and cause such health problems as compromised immunity, cancer, infertility, impaired development and more. Two of the worst chemicals PVCs use and release are chlorine and dioxin, which is one of the most toxic chemicals ever produced. 

The manufacturing alone of plastics contaminates the environment, releasing carcinogenic and other toxic chemicals into the air and often into water bodies and the soil. Of particular risk for harm from plastic manufacturing are the residents surrounding production facilities. These are often low-income communities that did not have the power or wealth or keep the facilities out. Further, highly toxic PFAS chemicals and chemicals such as benzene, arsenic, cadmium, lead, formaldehyde, chlorine, and mercury are used in the extraction of natural gas pulled from fracking wells in rural areas to make plastics.  Nearly half the populations of West Virginia and Oklahoma live within a mile of these wells. Many others around the country also live too close to be safe. And of course the regions' wildlife and ecosystems are also harmed.

And of course, plastic is not biodegradable. It stays around hundreds even thousands of years. While it slowly erodes over time, that just adds to the dangers in a big way by continually depositing microplastics into the environment, some of which ends up in the tissues of animals, in the soil and in drinking water. Microplastics entering the human body though ingestion or inhalation can cause numerous health problems including inflammation, DNA damage, cancer, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, bowel disease nervous system damage, stroke and auto-immune conditions and lung damage, to name just a few. One major source of microplastics is synthetic clothing and fabrics like polyester and fleece. Choosing plant-based fabrics like cotton, linen and hemp can help. Don't wear plastic fabric or sleep on it.