PLASTICS POISON THE WORKPLACE: Chemical Exposures to Plastic Waste and Recycling Workers

Plastic is everywhere, from packaging to electronics. While we focus on reducing plastic waste, a silent crisis is unfolding: the chemical exposure faced by plastic waste and recycling workers. A recent study by International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), Plastics Poison the Workplace: Chemical Exposures to Plastic Waste and Recycling Workers, reveals alarming findings about the dangers lurking in the recycling industry.

Plastics contain thousands of chemicals, many derived from fossil fuels. Some are known to be hazardous, while the effects of many others remain largely unknown. During handling, recycling, or disposal, these chemicals leach into the environment, exposing workers and communities to serious health risks.

To investigate these risks, a study conducted in Thailand used silicone wristbands to monitor workers’ chemical exposure. 3 groups participated:

• Plastic waste workers (handling collection and sorting)
• Plastic recycling workers (engaged in shredding and processing)
• Office workers (control group) (no occupational exposure to plastic waste)

For 5 days, these workers wore wristbands that absorbed chemicals from their environment. The results were deeply concerning.

Every participant – including office workers – was exposed to at least 21 chemicals, with 14 chemicals found in every wristband. However, exposure levels varied significantly:

• Plastic waste and recycling workers faced the highest chemical exposure.
• Recycling workers had the most chemicals in their wristbands, indicating greater risk.
• Even office workers, without direct contact with plastic waste, were exposed to plastic-related chemicals, proving that chemical contamination is widespread.

The study has revealed significant chemical exposure risks, highlighting the toxic nature of plastic recycling. Among the many chemicals detected, 4 categories pose the most serious health concerns: phthalates, phthalate alternatives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). These chemicals, widely present in plastics, have been linked to severe health hazards, including cancer, hormone disruption, and neurological disorders.

Phthalates, commonly used to make plastics flexible and durable, were found in all wristbands tested in the study. These chemicals were detected at the highest concentrations, with plastic workers facing particularly severe exposure. Among the most harmful phthalates detected were DEHP, DiBP, and DBP, all of which are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) known to interfere with the body’s hormonal balance. Despite the well-documented risks, DEHP remains unregulated in many regions, including parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, even though it has been banned for certain uses in the European Union, the United States, Australia, and China.

In an effort to replace regulated phthalates, manufacturers have introduced alternative plasticisers such as DEHA and ToTM. However, the study found that these substitutes are just as hazardous, demonstrating the problem of “regrettable substitution”—where one toxic chemical is replaced with another that poses similar or even unknown risks. This cycle of replacing harmful chemicals without ensuring safer alternatives continues to endanger both workers and consumers.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are cancer-causing chemicals that are released when plastic burns or degrades. These substances are highly toxic, contributing to immune system damage, respiratory illnesses, and long-term carcinogenic effects. The study revealed that plastic waste and recycling workers had the highest exposure levels, putting them at an increased risk of developing cancer and other chronic health conditions.

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are chemicals commonly used in furniture, textiles, electronics, and plastics to reduce flammability. However, they have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, endocrine disruption, and reproductive toxicity. The study found that plastic recycling workers had the highest exposure to OPFRs, likely due to handling old plastic materials that contain these chemicals.

The long-term impact of exposure to these chemicals is severe, affecting not just workers but also communities living near plastic recycling facilities. The study confirms that plastic-related chemical exposure is linked to a wide range of health issues, including:

• Cancer, affecting the lungs, bladder, breast, and testicles.
• Hormonal disruption, leading to fertility problems and birth defects.
• Neurological disorders, impairing brain development and cognitive function.
• Respiratory diseases, caused by inhaling toxic chemical-laden dust.
• Skin conditions and immune system disorders, resulting from long-term exposure.

The findings of the study underscore the necessity of stronger global regulations to protect workers, consumers, and the environment from toxic plastic chemicals. Without immediate intervention, the health risks associated with plastic recycling will continue to escalate.

Key Recommendations for Reform by IPEN include:

1. Enforce Global Regulations on Plastic Chemicals

• A legally binding Plastics Treaty should regulate hazardous chemicals in plastics throughout their entire lifecycle, from production to disposal.

2. Prohibit Toxic Plastic Recycling

• Plastics containing harmful chemicals should not be recycled, as this only prolongs exposure risks. Instead, safe disposal methods – such as non-combustion technologies – should be prioritized.

3. Eliminate Regrettable Substitution

• Governments must ban entire groups of hazardous chemicals, rather than just individual substances, to prevent companies from replacing one toxic chemical with another.

4. Ensure Full Chemical Transparency

• Plastic manufacturers should be required to disclose all chemicals used in their products, and ensure that the information is publicly available throughout the full product life cycle.

5. Protect Workers from Harm

• Employers must fulfil their obligations to protect their workers from harm from plastic chemicals, prioritizing elimination, and where this is not possible, substitution of toxic plastic chemicals as established in the occupational safety and health hierarchy of controls.

6. Reduce Overall Plastic Production

• The overproduction of plastics directly increases exposure to toxic chemicals. By reducing plastic production and consumption, global plastic pollution – and its health risks –can be significantly minimized.

This study on plastic waste and recycling workers reveals a disturbing reality – chemical exposure in the plastic industry is a major public health crisis. While plastic pollution is often discussed in terms of environmental damage, its impact on human health is just as severe.

Without urgent global action, plastic-related diseases and health conditions will continue to rise. Governments, industries, and regulatory bodies must work together to establish stricter regulations, protect workers, and ensure that plastic production does not come at the cost of human health. Reducing plastic waste is not just about saving the environment – it is about saving lives.

REFERENCE:

Brosché, s., et al. 2024. Plastics Poison the Workplace: Chemical Exposures to Plastic Waste and Recycling Workers. IPEN, Arnika, and EARTH. https://stoppoisonplastic.org/…/plastics-poison-the…/