Plastic Debris Is a Human Health Issue

The global threat of highly persistent plastic waste accumulating and fragmenting in the world’s oceans, inland waters and terrestrial environments is becoming increasingly evident.1−3 Humans are being exposed to both plastic particles and chemical additives being released from the plastic debris of consumer society. This material is fragmenting, leaching and spreading throughout the biosphere, including indoor and outdoor air, soil, and water systems. What started as a marine environmental contamination issue is in fact very much a human health issue as well. What do we know so far about the impacts of this plastic debris for humans? Humans can be exposed to plastic particles via consumption of seafood and terrestrial food products, drinking water and via the air.1,4 Uptake of plastics by humans (and animals) can cause adverse health effects by at least three possible means: particle toxicity, chemical toxicity and as a pathogen and parasite vector.