Toxic Plastic Chemicals Number in the Thousands, Most Are Unregulated, Report Finds
“Life in plastic; it’s fantastic,” so the song goes, but in reality, plastics and the chemicals used to create them have been increasingly linked to numerous harms to human health and the environment. And with new plastic chemicals entering the market all the time, it’s been difficult for regulators and policy makers to determine the scope of the problem. Now, for the first time, researchers have pulled together scientific and regulatory data to develop a database of all known chemicals used in plastic production.
What Does Plastic Do to the Endocrine System?
Before this plastic enters the natural ecosystem, the chemicals inside can leach out of water bottles and other food containers, entering the body and potentially endangering human health, according to a mounting body of research. In particular, plastic contains endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that could wreak havoc on certain messaging systems in the human body.
Dark Plastics
If your home has HDPE plastic containers— it almost certainly does; look for the No. 2—you should know some of it may have been treated with a process called fluorination. And you might be exposing yourself to PFAS, the “forever chemicals.”
Why Are They Called ‘Forever Chemicals,’ and Other Things to Know About PFAS
Residents of rural Central Massachusetts were shocked to learn that a composting facility likely spread toxic ‘forever chemicals’ known as PFAS into their drinking water, according to state officials. They’re not alone. The state has identified dangerous levels of the compounds in 84 community water systems across the Commonwealth. The chemicals have been linked to a slew of health problems, even in tiny quantities
Beyond Plastic's Judith Enck and NYU BioEthicist Dr Arthur Caplan Episode 448
Daily podcast with guest Judith Enck, Beyond Plastics
We Now Know How Exxon Secretly Fights Crackdowns on Plastic Pollution
In a sting operation by Greenpeace UK, a top Exxon official admits Exxon's producing PFAS products and lobbying against anti-plastic laws.
Plastics and toxic chemicals are killing fish — and poisoning us
Plastic, pesticides and other toxic substances are devastating the world’s fish and marine animals, according to a report released Tuesday.
Environmental efforts key for Biden, but industry expects limited recycling policy movement in 2021
While existing initiatives are likely to make headway, and Democratic majorities in Congress could affect certain legislation, trade groups don't anticipate major changes due to a crowded agenda.
Experts distrust the tap, but prefer it to bottles
There could be lead in your tap water. There could be PFAS in your bottled water. Microplastics might be in both. Do you choose neurotoxic heavy metals or carcinogenic "forever chemicals"? That's the predicament facing Americans every time they take a drink of water