Plastics and Health: Microplastics and Additives

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size that form when larger plastic items break down or are intentionally added to consumer products such as cosmetics or cleaning agents.

Microplastics are now found in food, drinking water, indoor air, soil, wildlife and the human bodies. Recent peer reviewed studies have found microplastics in placentas, lungs, arteries,  testicles and human brains confirming that particles can pass biological barriers and accumulate over time. While research is still ongoing about the health effects of microplastics, recent scientific reviews have raised concerns that they may impact fertility, increase the risk of cancer, cause cardiovascular harm and other health problems.

Microplastics also act as chemical carriers, transporting PFAS, phthalates and other contaminants into soil, water and people.

Real solutions begin upstream, reducing the use of plastic, and eliminating the use of intentionally added microplastics. States should adopt monitoring and testing programs for  drinking water, sludge, soil and surface waters to track microplastic contamination.

Learn more about microplastics here.

While all plastics are problematic across their lifecycle, some are more hazardous than others due to their building blocks, additives, manufacturing emissions and disposal impacts.

• PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
  • PVC is made from vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen linked to liver, brain and blood cancers. PVC production also uses asbestos as a catalyst and often uses PFAS as a processing aide. Vinyl Chloride was the chemical that contaminated East Palestine, Ohio after a 2023 train derailment.
  • PVC is common in food packaging (shrink wrap, cling film, bottle closures, and blister packs) flooring, pipes, medical devices (such as IV bags) and childrens products.. PVC is nearly impossible to recycle due to the many additives that contaminate the recycling stream.
• Polystyrene.
  • Polystyrene is made from styrene which is classified as a “probable carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.  It also contains harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) that pose additional cancer risks.
  • Polystyrene is widely used in foodware such as takeout containers and foam cups, as well as packaging. Safer alternatives already exist and 12 states including Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Washington DC as well as numerous jurisdictions have banned polystyrene in some types of food packaging.
• Polycarbonate. 
  • Polycarbonate is made using bisphenols (BPA, BPS) which are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked to early puberty, infertility, cancer, reproductive toxicity and heart disease.
  • Polycarbonate is used for durable food containers, water bottles and the plastic lining of food and beverage containers. Even BPA-free polycarbonate often uses chemical substitutes with similar hazards.
• Melamine. 
  • Melamine is made with formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen. Heat and acidic foods increase leaching into food.
  • Melamine is marketed as a reusable alternative material but it is not a safe replacement for single-use items.

Yes. Plastic additives including plasticizers, stabilizers, flame retardants, processing aides are a major source of exposure to hazardous chemicals linked to cancer, infertility, low sperm count, birth defects, early puberty, immune system suppression and obesity.

These chemicals may be intentionally added to products, used during manufacturing, or unintentionally introduced as contaminants.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued statements that warn parents about the risks plastic additives pose to children’s health.

Below is the recommended restriction list:

• Benzophenone and its derivatives – used to block Ultra Violet (UV) light and linked to cancer
• Bisphenols – used to make plastic hard, clear and shatterproof and known endocrine disruptors
• Chlorinated paraffins – common plasticizer and flame retardant in plastic. Linked to cancer and endocrine disruption.
• Halogenated Flame Retardants (HFR) – used as a plasticizer and flame retardant in plastics  and sometimes found in recycled plastic as a contaminant.  HFRs are linked to reduced IQ and cancer.
• Heavy Metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium compounds) – used as processing aids in some plastics and linked to a wide range of health conditions including impaired brain development, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
• Non-detectable pigments including carbon black – used as a UV stabilizer in some plastics, these additives interfere with recycling, leading black plastic to end up in landfills. Carbon black has also been classified as a possible carcinogen.
• Nonylphenols – used as stabilizers, and plasticizers in many kinds of plastic products. They have been linked to infertility issues and hormone disruption.
• Ortho-phthalates – added to plastics to make them more flexible, phthalates are linked to a wide range of health impacts including developmental toxicity, cancer and hormone disruption.
• Oxo-degradable additives including oxo-biodegradable additives – used plastics break down into smaller fragments faster producing more microplastics in the environment.
• Perchlorate – an antistatic agent used in plastic, perchlorate is a hormone disruptor and linked to impaired brain development.
• Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)– used as a processing aid that can remain in the packaging. Linked to a host of health issues.
• UV 328 [2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-di-tert-pentylphenol] – used as a UV blocker, these chemicals are

In 2022, nearly 100 companies signed the US Plastics Pact pledging to eliminate the most “problematic and unnecessary materials” from packaging including PVC, polystyrene, certain forms of PET plastic and some toxic additives such as PFAS. This is a positive step but ,voluntary effort cannot address the scale of harm and many hazardous additives remain unaddressed.

States are leading with enforceable policies to eliminate harmful plastic additives and encourage reuse. It is critical that states not rely on voluntary efforts which often lack transparency, allow regrettable substitutions or fail to meet deadlines.

Strong policies that effectively address the plastics crisis include:

• Phasing out high- hazard plastics
• Eliminating toxic additives
• Strengthening transparency to prevent regrettable substitution
• Supporting reuse and safer material innovation