Plastic: Not Just an Environmental Crisis, But a Public Health Emergency

By Wendy Vernon

Plastics are everywhere in our daily lives. We produce vast amounts of plastic, and that number is growing rapidly. In 2020 alone, the world produced 398 million metric tons, and production is expected to double or even triple by 2050. While plastics can offer advantages over other materials—such as in medical applications, lightweight vehicle components, and electronics—a significant portion is designed for single use, serving its purpose for only minutes yet persisting in our environment for centuries. What was once a convenient material has now evolved into more than just an environmental concern—it has become a growing public health emergency affecting us all.

Photo credit: Stefan Schweihofer

We often think of plastic as a problem only after it has been used, focusing on how to dispose of it. However, plastic causes harm at every stage of its lifecycle. More than 98% of all plastic is derived from fossil fuels like oil and fracked gas, and its production carries the same health risks associated with fossil fuels.

Plastic production facilities are often located in or near marginalized communities. A well-known example is Cancer Alley, an 85-mile stretch of land in Louisiana along the Mississippi River, between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Cancer Alley is home to over 150 petrochemical plants and refineries, many of which produce the chemicals used to make plastic. This region has some of the highest cancer rates in the U.S. People living here—predominantly low-income Black communities—suffer from health problems like cancer, respiratory diseases, and reproductive issues due to the toxic emissions from plastic manufacturing. This situation highlights how plastic is both a public health and environmental justice issue.

Unlike organic materials, plastic does not biodegrade. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic, eventually becoming microplastics and even tinier nanoplastics—some as small as viruses. These plastic particles contaminate soil, water, and air, where they are absorbed by plants and ingested by both marine and land animals. In turn, we are exposed to microplastics through the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and even through skin contact.

Much of this exposure comes from everyday sources. Plastic food packaging sheds microplastics into our food, especially when exposed to heat, oil, or acidity. Synthetic fabrics release microplastics into the air and water during wear and washing. We can absorb microplastics from personal care products and cosmetics through our skin. Even indoor air carries microplastics, released from the plastic-based materials in our homes.

There are at least 16,000 known chemicals used in plastics to give them specific properties, such as increased flexibility, improved heat resistance, color, flame retardancy, UV protection, enhanced durability, and softness. Many of these chemicals have not been tested for health effects, and among those that have, a significant number show harmful impacts. Some are known to be endocrine (hormone) disruptors, carcinogens, and neurotoxins, interfering with essential biological processes in our bodies. Studies have found microplastics and the harmful chemicals they carry in breast milk, placentas, brains, hearts, kidneys, livers, lungs, and blood. These exposures are linked to increased rates of infertility, cancer, diabetes, obesity, asthma, coronary heart disease, and neurological disorders like autism and ADHD. The effects are particularly harmful for developing fetuses, young children, and adolescents going through puberty.

Additionally, these health problems come with a financial burden. A recent study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society estimates that healthcare costs attributable to chemicals in plastics in the U.S. amount to $250 billion annually.

The plastics industry has long promoted recycling as the primary solution to plastic waste, often to reassure consumers about plastic’s sustainability. However, less than 10% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, and in the United States, the annual recycling rate is less than 6%. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment, including our oceans. This isn’t due to a lack of effort by consumers, but rather because plastic is inherently difficult to recycle. Virgin plastic is cheaper to produce than recycled plastic, and the sheer variety of plastic types complicates sorting and processing. Additionally, the chemicals added to plastics can render them unsuitable for reuse. Unlike glass, aluminum, and steel—which can be recycled indefinitely without quality loss—plastic degrades with each recycling cycle and can typically only be recycled once or twice. The recycling process itself can also release harmful chemicals, and additional chemicals are often introduced when creating new plastics.

Rather than relying on recycling, we need to shift our focus. Eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics and embracing reusables is key. We must also transition to safer, more sustainable materials that don’t contain harmful chemicals.

What can you do to help? First, educate yourself and inform others about the dangers of plastics. Many people don’t realize the extent of harm caused by plastic. Share the facts with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Second, reduce your plastic use. Start with the most problematic plastics—switch to a reusable water bottle instead of single-use plastic ones. Bottled water is a major contributor to plastic pollution, and it is generally not considered higher quality than tap water. In fact, it contains more microplastics than tap water and can be expensive.

Bring reusable bags when shopping instead of using single-use plastic ones. In the U.S., the average person uses over 300 plastic bags per year. In Illinois alone, this adds up to more than 3.7 billion plastic bags polluting our environment and harming our health each year.

Once these habits become second nature, find additional ways to reduce plastic waste. Buy less and choose durable, reusable items over disposable ones. Repair rather than replace broken items when possible. Borrow what you need, and shop secondhand to reduce the demand for new plastic products and packaging. Opt for plastic-free personal care products and make your own cleaning solutions with simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap. Consider alternatives to plastic food storage, such as glass containers or beeswax wraps. When shopping, visit farmers' markets or bulk stores with your own containers. Bring reusable containers to restaurants for leftovers. Whenever possible, choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging.

Finally, advocate for change. Contact your legislators and urge them to support policies that reduce plastic production, eliminate single-use plastics, and hold manufacturers accountable for waste management. Encourage local, state, and federal governments—and businesses—to cut plastic use and eliminate harmful materials like polystyrene foam. Support companies that are leading the way in reducing plastic.

Despite overwhelming evidence of harm, we are not powerless. Everyday actions—reducing plastic use and advocating for stronger legislation—can drive systemic change. By cutting plastic production and promoting healthier alternatives, we protect both our health and the planet. Together, we can create a cleaner, safer world for future generations.

Visit my Plastic Reduction page to learn more about the plastic problem, how to reduce it in your life, and current legislation you can support. If you’re interested in working on this issue or want more information, email me at wvecoactionhub@gmail.com.