The article, “Scientists warn of ‘grave’ danger of plastics to human and planetary health,” reports on a new comprehensive review published in Environmental Science & Technology highlighting the pervasive and detrimental effects of plastics throughout their lifecycle. The review synthesizes existing research, revealing that plastics, from production to disposal, pose a significant threat to both human and environmental well-being.
The article details how plastic production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and pollutes air and water. The chemicals used in plastic manufacturing, many of which are hazardous, contaminate the environment and find their way into the human body through various exposure routes. Microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, are found everywhere from the deepest oceans to the human bloodstream.
The review emphasizes the endocrine-disrupting effects of plastic chemicals, which can interfere with hormone function and potentially lead to reproductive problems, developmental issues, and increased risk of certain cancers. The scientists express concern about the lack of adequate regulation and monitoring of plastic chemicals and their impacts, calling for urgent action to reduce plastic production and consumption, implement stricter regulations, and develop safer alternatives. They warn that the continued proliferation of plastics poses a “grave, growing, and under-recognised danger” to both human and planetary health.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/08/28/jfxm-a28.html