BEFORE BUYING PLASTIC ITEMS, CONSIDER THIS

There are health risks from each part of the plastic lifecycle.

> The extraction of fossil fuels, used as feedstocks in manufacturing plastic, results in air and water pollution and other direct impacts to communities such as increased traffic and pipeline construction (more than 99% of plastic made today is made using fossil fuels).

> Refining and producing the plastic resins and additives releases cancer-causing compounds and other toxics, some of which “can be difficult to detect” as they “are colourless and tend to have mild-to-no odour. In addition, refinery workers are exposed to high levels of these compounds.

> Plastic products and packaging, when in the consumer’s hands, lead to inhaled or ingested toxic and/or plastic particles.

> Plastic incineration releases toxic compounds.

> The degradation of plastic leads to microplastics that can get into people, wildlife, soil and water.

(The above is as cited in Environmental Health News)

“Studies of plastic’s endless existence paint a toxic picture: At every stage, from extraction to production to transportation to use to disposal, plastic pollution threatens human health on a global scale.” ~ Plastic Pollutes