Plastic Pollution Soars: $1.5 Trillion Health Burden

A report in The Lancet medical journal warns of a dramatic increase in plastic pollution, with a $1.5 trillion burden on healthcare.

Plastic production has increased over 200-fold since 1950, causing disease and death across all age groups. Embryos, infants, and young children are particularly vulnerable.

The report highlights that plastic pollution has been detected in every corner of the planet, while less than 10% of plastics are recycled.

Professor Philip Landrigan emphasizes the need for measures to protect human and planetary health, as oil and plastic industry lobbies undermine related negotiations at the UN.

The report states that plastic pollution can increase disease transmission, while burning unmanaged plastic waste pollutes the atmosphere.

More than 16,000 chemicals are used in plastic manufacturing, many of which have been linked to health problems. Plastic waste breaks down into microplastics and nanoplastics, which enter the human body.

Researchers emphasize that the health impacts have enormous costs, with damages related to three chemicals estimated at $1.5 trillion annually.