The Global Health and Environmental Impact of Plastic Pollution

Wed, 06 May 2026 22:17:00 +0200

Plastic pollution has become a pervasive global problem, with microplastics now detected in human blood, breast milk, heart arteries, lungs, testicles, brains, and placentas. These tiny particles, smaller than 5 millimeters, are present everywhere—from the peaks of the Himalayas to the depths of the oceans and the snow of Antarctica. Microplastics are consumed by marine life and subsequently enter human diets, particularly affecting coastal communities dependent on seafood. Studies reveal that 99 percent of seafood samples from the West Coast were contaminated with microplastics. Plastics are derived from fossil fuels and toxic chemicals, and production often occurs in vulnerable communities, exacerbating environmental and social inequalities. Despite decades of recycling initiatives, only 5-6 percent of plastics are actually recycled in the U.S. Plastics contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and are linked to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, reproductive canc