Impacts of Plastic Pollution

Trash has been found in every corner of the planet, even in incredibly remote areas, and the majority is made of plastic. This waste contributes to pollution of water, soil and air, causing significant concerns for wildlife and human health. Plastic pollution is preventable. This global problem is caused by people so it’s imperative that we are part of the solution. 

Plastic pollution

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to wildlife, impacting their health, survival, and the ecosystems they (and we) depend on.  

• Why is Marine Debris a Problem? 

• Microplastics are sickening and killing wildlife, disrupting Earth systems 

• The Plastics & Climate Project 

• The Story of Plastic (Animated Short) 

• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report:  Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste 

• The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastic 

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Health impacts 

Plastic pollution negatively impacts human health through exposure to harmful chemicals used in the creation of plastic. Impacts include disruption of hormone function that leads to reproductive issues and developmental delays, increased cancer risk, increased risk of heart attack and stroke from microplastic accumulation in blood vessels, respiratory issues from the inhalation of microplastics and related chemicals, and more. 

• ‘Plastic People’ documentary exposes the human health threats from plastic 

• Scientists call for urgent action as plastic-linked chemicals threaten human health 

• Study: Bottled water can contain up to 100 times more nanoplastic than previously believed 

• How harmful are microplastics to human health? 

• What’s the deal with microplastics, the material that ‘never goes away’? 

• Human health impacts of plastic exposure – an evolving evidence base 

• Nanoplastics Promote Conditions for Parkinson’s Across Various Lab Models 

• Breathe This Air 

• A growing crisis for One Health: Impacts of plastic pollution across layers of biological function