7 Dangers of Plastic

Posted: 17 Jan 2015 07:00 AM PST

Recently I talked about the dangers of lead and how, at one time, lead was used as heavily as plastic. Not anymore. Lead was discovered to be highly toxic and the use of it in products like paint, toys, and electronics drastically declined. There is some concern that products made overseas may contain lead. In this case, it is best to choose products made in the USA as much as possible while looking for labels that read 'lead free.'

The 7 Dangers of Plastic

Plastic is very much a staple in the world today, much like lead was, but it's definitely not a perfect product. There are a slew of toxins within many of our plastics; maybe one day, the world will view plastic the same way it views lead—as poison. Until then, here are 7 dangers of plastic and how it is ruining our lives.

1. Plastics Chemical Linked to Changes in Baby Boys’ Genitals

Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) is a phthalate commonly found in vinyl products. It was actually a chemical chosen to replace a similar toxin, DEHP, which was discovered to hinder genital development in baby boys. While less is known about the reproductive risks of DiNP, a recent study suggests that it can, in fact, affect male genital development. ^[1] This is worrisome because these problems occur before birth. While many phthalates are banned from children's products, the pregnant mother can still be exposed.

2. Plastics Increases the Risk of Childhood Asthma

Studies have long suggested a connection between childhood exposure to plasticizers and asthma, but a recent Columbia University report found there is even an increased risk before birth. ^[2] Scientists studied the phthalate levels of pregnant women over almost a decade and found that children born to mothers with increased levels were over three times more likely to develop asthma symptoms than their counterparts. While no one really knows why the risk is higher, one theory suggests that phthalates increase airway sensitivity, essentially paving the way for asthma symptoms.

3. Chemicals in Plastic Decrease Female Libido

Phthalates used in plastic have even been linked to low libido in women with a recent study even suggesting women with high levels of plasticizers were twice as likely to show less interest in sex than those with low levels. ^[3] While you may try to limit your exposure, phthalates are often found in everyday items like shower curtains, PVC flooring, car dashboards, and even food. These toxins are endocrine disruptors and can wreak havoc with hormone levels, so limiting your exposure is key.

4. Plastic is Destroying our Waterways

An estimated 13,000 pieces of plastic litters each square kilometer of our oceans, and one huge factor to the problem are microbeads; those tiny plastic beads in many of your personal care products are only one of the things polluting our waters. ^[4] Once in the water supply (by way of your drain), the beads collect toxins. Marine life is exposed to the microplastics, and the toxins enter the food chain; but it's not just our oceans that are affected. In the U.S., the issue of microbeads has become so toxic that many states are looking at banning them.

5. Plastic Has Infiltrated Food

With 6 different phthalates banned from children's products in the U.S., the last place you'd expect to find these toxins would be in our food. Acrylamide is a fairly common plasticizer that's been linked to cancer, and other phthalates linked to problems with reproductive development have been appearing at unsafe levels as well. ^[5] No one really knows how they're getting into the food, but somehow this is happening before it gets to your home.

6. Plastic Destroys Hormonal Balance

BPA mimics estrogen in the body, so many people try to stay away from the toxin by using BPA-free plastics instead. A recent study suggests, however, that BPA-free plastics could also contain endocrine disruptors. In a test of fourteen resins used in plastic production, four were found to have estrogen-like properties; not only are things like reusable water bottles and food storage containers at risk, but certain baby products may also contain the unhealthy compound. ^[6] Phthalates are still a huge concern in plastic packaging, but these plasticizers are also used in personal care products as well. ^[7]

7. You Simply Can't Trust the Plastic Industry

Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had to crack down on some plastic bag manufacturers for making uncertain claims. The issue had to do with labeling the bags 'oxo-degradable,' a term that implies it'll biodegrade when exposed to oxygen. ^[8] Now, it's likely that many of these bags will, unfortunately, end up in a landfill where little oxygen is present, meaning nothing can break down; at most, the bags might fragment into small pieces, but the pollutants are still there. ^[9] Essentially, the bags are no more biodegradable than regular ones. Even worse, this is only the latest incident in a string of bogus claims by the plastic industry.

There are so many things wrong with using plastic, and I've only covered 7 of them here. Do you know of more ways plastic is hurting us all? Be sure to share them in the comments.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM