A new expert review warns that plastics are a “grave, growing and under-recognised danger” to human and planetary health. The world is facing a “plastics crisis,” which causes disease and death from infancy to old age, resulting in $1.5 trillion (£1.1 trillion) in annual health-related damages.
The main driver of the crisis is the rapid increase in plastic production, which has more than tripled since 1950 and will soon reach over a billion tonnes per year by 2060. Most of this growth has been in single-use plastics, such as drinks bottles and fast-food containers.
Plastic pollution has soared, with 8 billion tonnes now polluting the planet, from Mount Everest to the deepest ocean trench. Less than 10% of plastic is recycled. The production of plastics also drives air pollution, releases greenhouse gases equivalent to Russia’s annual emissions, and produces toxic chemicals that can harm human health.
The review found that exposure to plastics can lead to increased risks of miscarriage, premature birth, birth defects, childhood cancer, fertility problems, and strokes. Microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic that enter the body through food, water, and breathing, have also been linked to health issues.
In response to the crisis, a global plastics treaty is being negotiated, but progress has been slow due to disagreements between countries over production caps. Experts say it’s essential to include measures to protect human and planetary health in the treaty.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/03/world-in-15tn-plastics-crisis-hitting-health-from-infancy-to-old-age-report-warns