Health threat of global plastics projected to soar
- On Tuesday, researchers warned that harms from plastic will surge, projecting DALYs to more than double from 2.1 million in 2016 to 4.5 million by 2040.
- More than 90 percent of plastic production begins with oil and gas extraction and chemical processing into Polyethylene terephthalate , while planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions lead health harms, followed by air pollution and toxic chemicals.
- Using lifecycle modelling and DALYs, the British–French research team excluded microplastics and certain leaching chemicals, suggesting their estimates likely underestimate health impacts, Megan Deeney said.
- Communities face concentrated industrial harm in places like Cancer Alley, Louisiana, with more than 200 petrochemical plants, while talks on a world-first treaty stalled under opposition from oil-producing countries.
- Modelled stronger-action scenarios showed reducing unnecessary plastic delivered the largest health benefit, while researchers found recycling had little effect on projected health burdens.
62 Articles
62 Articles
Lancet Study Warns Plastics Could Cost Humanity 83 Million Years of Healthy Life
A study published in the Lancet Planetary Health highlights how humanity's continued reliance on plastics—which are primarily derived from planet-heating fossil fuels—is expected to harm global health over the next couple of decades.
The risk to human health associated with the manufacture, use and disposal of plastics will increase in the coming years, shows a study
The health consequences of the use and production of plastic could double by 2040, researchers report. The burden would then be comparable to the former occupational damage caused by asbestos.
Global health impacts of plastics systems set to double by 2040
The adverse health impacts associated with emissions across the full life cycle of plastics could double by 2040 unless immediate action is taken, new research suggests. The study identified health harms at every stage of the life cycle of the plastics we use: from the extraction of fossil fuels, the feedstocks for more than 90% of plastics, and material production to their eventual disposal or release to the environment.
In the future, emissions from plastic will have a negative impact on our health twice as much as now - if everything remains as it is. The reason for this is the production of new plastic, according to a new study.
The impact of plastics on health could be more than doubled by 2040 if urgent measures are not taken.This is what a study published in The Lancet Planetary Health warns of serious health damage associated with the entire plastic life cycle, from production to disposal.The impact of plastics on health is triggered A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health warns of millions of years of life lost if there are no immediate changes.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium























