As world leaders gather to discuss a global plastics treaty, Pete Myers, the chief scientist at Environmental Health Sciences, is calling for urgent action to address the catastrophic impact of plastic pollution on our health and environment. In a recent article for Reuters, Myers emphasizes the pervasive nature of plastic contamination and its harmful effects on people and the planet.
Myers highlights how hazardous chemicals leach from plastics into our bodies, leading to health problems such as obesity and reduced fertility. He also underscores the staggering economic costs of plastic pollution, estimated at $250 billion annually in the U.S., with far-reaching implications for public health and safety.
The discussions around an international treaty on plastics focus on phasing out hazardous and unnecessary plastics as a crucial step towards addressing the crisis. Myers stresses the importance of identifying and eliminating any plastic products that are wasteful, unsafe, and untested in order to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution on both people and the planet.
Plastics have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, releasing toxic chemicals that pose serious health risks, including cancer, diabetes, and reproductive issues. As plastics break down into microplastics, they contaminate water sources and ecosystems, impacting wildlife and disrupting the environmental balance. A global plastics treaty has the potential to establish enforceable standards for reducing the use of hazardous plastics, promoting alternatives, and reducing the toxic burden on our health and environment.
Dr. Myers is a founding member of the Plastic Health Council and serves as chief scientist at Environmental Health Sciences. Together with Environmental Health News’ editorial independence commitment to raising awareness about plastic pollution dangers through informed reporting research advocacy efforts are focused on promoting effective solutions to this pressing problem