Plastics and Microplastics: A Threat to the Environment and Health

Microplastics found in every human placenta and arteries tested

Environmental Health News reports a new study showing microplastics, especially polyethylene, in every developing fetus tested. A second study revealed microplastics in all the human arteries tested and suggested the particles may be linked to clogging of the blood vessels. Microplastics have also recently been discovered in blood and breast milk.Click here to read the article.

EHHI is calling for sweeping policy initiatives

EHH's  newly published research report reveals the dangers of plastics and microplastics to the environment and to health. The report calls for sweeping policy initiatives that need to be enacted by international, federal, state, and city governments, as well as calling on corporations to institute new policies that will better protect the public from harmful plastic and microplastic exposures. Because almost all microplastics come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, it is impossible to control the amount of microplastics without reducing or stopping the production of plastic. A single plastic water bottle can break down into many trillions of microplastic particles. Click here to read the press release.

Gaboury Benoit, Ph.D., talks about the need to reduce plastic use
Gaboury Benoit, an Environmental Chemist at Yale University, authored EHHI's report, “Plastics and Microplastics: A Threat to the Environment and Health.” Benoit discusses the fate of microplastics, potential adverse effects on soil and human health, and why it is critical to choose anything but plastic whenever possible. Click here to listen to Listen to Food Sleuth Radio host Melinda Hemmelgarn, R.D., interview Gaboury Benoit about EHHI's new plastics report.

Plastics That May Be Harmful to Children and Reproductive Health

L.A. County sues Coke, Pepsi over misleading waste and recycling claims
Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit Wednesday against PepsiCo and Coca-Cola for misrepresentations about the recyclability of plastic beverage containers and negative impacts on the environment and public health. Click here to read more.

 

Former CT Attorney General Calls for Robust Strategy to Fight Plastic Pollution
Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in urging the Biden administration to adopt a more comprehensive strategy to combat the plastic pollution crisis. Click here to read more.

 

New Study Warns Bottled Water Contains Nanoplastics
The bottled water industry has pushed back against a Columbia University study showing bottled water contains hundreds of thousands of potentially dangerous “nanoplastics.” The tiny plastic particles are small enough to invade human cells.Click here to read more.

 

Plastics and related chemicals threaten future generations
We know enough already to be concerned, according to Pete Myers, founder and chief scientist of Environmental Health Sciences. Hormone-altering chemicals are both purposefully and inadvertently added to plastics. Even tiny exposures to these compounds can have large impacts on health. Myers, publisher of Environmental Health News, spoke at the Plastic Health Summit 2019. Click here to read more.

 

Connecticut towns pass single-use plastic bag ordinances
Connecticut's law banning single-use plastic bags awaits the Governor's signature. Beginning August 1, 2019, a 10-cent tax will be charged on each single-use plastic bag. Then on July 1, 2021, single-use plastic bags will be banned altogher. Click here to read more.

 

Toxic endocrine-disruptors found in everyday products
Hormone-disrupting chemicals—pesticides, phthalates, flame retardants, bisphenol (BPA) and PFAS—are found in toys, electronics, carpets and household goods. Of the more than 40,000 chemicals used in U.S. consumer products, the EPA says fewer than 1% have been rigorously tested for human safety. Click here to read the article.

 

Plastic found on the world's most remote islands
More than 400 million pieces of plastic debris litters the remote islands off the continent of Australia. Most of the waste is buried below the surface. Since global surveys generally don't look below the surface, the amount of microplastic pollution worldwide may be worse than previously thought. Click here to read the article.

 

BPA Exposure in utero is a pervasive threat
A study presented at ENDO 2016 revealed a possible link between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in utero to breast cancer later in life. BPA is especially prevalent as a component used in rigid plastic products such as food and beverage containers, can linings, and glossy paper receipts. Click here to read the article.

Yale study explains how Bisphenol A (BPA) chemically modifies DNA
EHHI Board member Hugh S. Taylor, MD, director of the reproductive endocrinology and infertility section of the Yale School of Medicine, says plastics containing BPA cause permanent changes that can lead to cancer in mice. Click here for news story.

FDA relied on chemical industry lobbyists to discredit studies warning of BPA risks
Emails obtained by the Wisconsin Journal Sentinel show that the FDA asked the chemical industry to study BPA. Commonly used in the manufacture of hard, clear plastic for food product containers, BPA is found in the urine of 93% of Americans. It has been linked to neurological defects, diabetes, breast and prostate cancer and heart disease.

News items are not independently verified by EHHI and inclusion on this site does not constitute an endorsement.