Plastic and Our Health

In the eighth and final part of her series on plastics, Julie Borgerding July explains how plastic can affect our health and what we can do to reduce its impact..

We all have plastic particles in us, unless we live in a bubble, and perhaps even then! For some of us it is probably not a big deal, but for others it could be a very bad thing. 

In February 2024 “Consumer Reports” tested 100 different foods in varied packaging and found phthalates and bisphenols – both chemicals in plastic – and found that we ingest quite a lot of them. Even low levels of these chemicals can disrupt our endocrine (hormone production and regulation) systems, which can contribute to increased risks in diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and cancer diseases, birth defects and more. Between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is an 85-mile stretch known as “cancer alley,” petrochemical plants have been spewing toxins for 40 years. The plastic we use may have started there. 2018 research showed reproductive harm, metabolic disease and cancer risk in humans, amounting to $250 Billion per year in healthcare costs. It has taken decades for knowledge of what some chemicals in plastics do when produced, used and broken down. Awareness increases over time as researchers become more interested. Where we live matters. 

There is plastic in pretty much everything. Meaning unregulated chemicals in practically everything: detergents and soaps, lotions and cosmetic products, fabric, fertilizers, toys, carpet, dishes, “to go” packaging, grocery packaging, outdoor furniture, car bodies and interiors. This is what we touch and use. There are also chemicals released into the air and water in production and when burned, and in the slow but sure degradation of plastic into microparticles. 

So, what to do? I think we need to assess what plastics we can do without and let manufacturers know. A world conference for reducing plastic pollution in Busan, Korea ended in November with work unfinished because of strong plastic lobbyists that presently have the upper hand. Less plastic means less money for them, for investors (people like me or you who might have unknown stock in retirement accounts). It is an economic quagmire, with all of us having a stake. We like less inexpensive, handy things. We have busy lives and don’t think about the long game. But it has gotten to the place where we all are affected, a little bit or a lot, depending on our bodies and where we live. Let’s take a big picture approach to how plastic affects us and our neighbors around the world. Do what you can. 

• As much as possible, don’t accept or buy black plastic, straws or plastic bags. Be responsible for the plastic bags you use.

• Don’t heat food in plastic containers even if microwave safe. Avoid plastic containers all together if possible.
• Avoid fast food, and fatty foods where the highest levels of plastic chemicals were found. 
• Choose non-plastic kitchen utensils. 
• Use glass or stainless-steel water bottles, and plan ahead to avoid buying water in plastic. 
• Check out soaps, lotions and deodorants made without harmful chemicals and without plastic containers at places like lakotamade.com.