Urgent Call to Address Plastic Pollution's Health Risks Ahead of UN Treaty

A recent report in The Lancet highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution, which poses significant health risks to humans and the environment. Experts warn that plastics, including microplastics, are linked to various health issues and economic losses exceeding $1.5 trillion annually. The report emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding plastic chemicals and calls for immediate action as the UN prepares to discuss a comprehensive treaty on plastic pollution. With projections indicating a potential tripling of plastic production by 2060, the need for effective policies and regulations is more critical than ever. The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics initiative aims to track the impacts of plastics on health, with the first report expected in 2026.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 4, 2025, 16:29 IST

Critical Insights on Plastic Pollution

New Delhi, Aug 4: A recent report published in The Lancet journal has highlighted the urgent need to tackle plastic pollution, which poses significant risks to both human health and the environment, just ahead of the UN treaty discussions on plastics.

This report, compiled by a team of global experts, examines the detrimental effects of plastics, including microplastics and associated chemicals, on health.

According to Prof. Philip J. Landrigan from Boston College, the corresponding author, "Plastics represent a serious and escalating threat to human and planetary health, leading to diseases and fatalities from infancy through old age, with health-related economic losses surpassing $1.5 trillion each year."

The findings indicate that plastics pose health risks throughout their entire lifecycle—from production to disposal. The report reveals that emissions from plastic manufacturing release harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, exposing workers to hazardous chemicals.

Experts from the US, Switzerland, Germany, and Australia have pointed out the opacity surrounding the chemical composition of plastics, their production quantities, applications, and potential toxicity.

They noted, "Numerous plastic chemicals are linked to various health issues at all life stages."

Moreover, the report mentions that microplastics have been detected in human tissues and bodily fluids. While more research is necessary to clarify their health implications, a precautionary approach is recommended.

Approximately 57% of unmanaged plastic waste is incinerated openly, contributing significantly to air pollution in low- and middle-income nations.

Additionally, plastic waste can create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and foster the growth of harmful microorganisms, potentially exacerbating the spread of vector-borne diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

The experts emphasized the need for a heightened focus on health consequences when addressing plastic pollution.

Alarmingly, the report predicts that without intervention, plastic production could nearly triple from 2019 to 2060.

Landrigan remarked that while the worsening effects of plastics are not unavoidable, they can be effectively mitigated through well-informed, transparent, and adequately funded policies and regulations.

In 2022, UN member states unanimously agreed to create a comprehensive, legally binding framework to combat plastic pollution, known as the Global Plastics Treaty, which will encompass the entire lifecycle of plastics. A meeting to discuss this is set for tomorrow.

In conjunction with this, the experts have introduced a new initiative to monitor the effects of plastics: the Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics.

"The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics will establish and monitor various indicators that reflect the impacts of plastics and their chemicals on human health throughout the plastic lifecycle. The inaugural indicator report is anticipated by mid-2026," Landrigan added.