NRDC: What you should know about the plastics crisis

 

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Here's something you may not expect to be coming out of your tap — in a recent investigation, researchers found microplastics in 94 percent of U.S. tap water samples. The global annual production of plastic has increased from 2 million to 460 million metric tons over the past 65 years. Plastic waste is found everywhere, including the farthest reaches of the Arctic, the deep seabed, and even in clouds and the atmosphere. Over 1,500 wildlife species have been found to accidentally ingest plastic, and even more wildlife are injured or die every year due to plastic entanglement. Plastic pollution is a human and planetary health crisis that requires immediate and decisive action at all levels of government. It's Plastic Free July — learn more about the plastic crisis and what we can do about it. The chemicals used to make plastic include carcinogens, hormone disruptors, obesity-causing compounds, and substances that can cause harm to the liver, brain, kidneys, and the cardiovascular, immune, and reproductive systems. During production, use, and disposal, plastics shed and break into tiny pieces of plastic called microplastics. Microplastics have been found in every human placenta tested in a recent study, and they have been found in other organs like the heart, lungs, and testicles. A recent study found a higher risk of heart attacks, stroke, and death among patients that had microplastics in a key heart artery. In addition, 99 percent of all plastics are made from fossil fuels and are a growing contributor to climate change. And unfortunately, we can’t recycle our way out of the plastics problem. Only 5–6 percent of postconsumer plastic was recycled in the United States in 2021. Most plastic isn’t designed to be recycled, and most of the different kinds of plastics can’t be recycled together. Moreover, recycling doesn't solve the fact that plastics are made from and contain toxic chemicals and nonrenewable source material, as well as shedding microplastics. The plastics crisis has become so acute that nations around the world agreed in 2022 to begin negotiations on a global plastics treaty to address the threats posed by plastic pollution, including reducing both the production and use of plastics, especially unnecessary plastics and the most toxic plastics. As one of the world's largest producers and consumers of plastic, the United States has a critical role to play in solving this problem. Urge the Biden administration to help finalize a strong Global Plastics Treaty. Sincerely, Avi Kar Senior Director, Toxics, Environmental Health, NRDC

The mission of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.

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