The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet: Health

This fact sheet from the Center for International Environmental Law describes the systemic health risks associated with the entire life cycle of plastics, from feedstock extraction to waste management. It argues that plastic is a "global health crisis" that disproportionately affects marginalized communities and calls for comprehensive reduction of plastic production rather than piecemeal solutions.

• Plastics are toxic through two primary mechanisms: the polymer itself, which is typically encountered via the inhalation or ingestion of microplastics, and the various toxic additives used to provide properties like color and flexibility. Ninety-nine percent of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, and more than 40% are used for disposable packaging.
• Human health risks occur at every stage of the plastic life cycle: extraction and transport of feedstocks can harm the brain, liver, and respiratory systems; refining and manufacture are linked to leukemia, cancer, and low birth weight; and the use of products can lead to endocrine-disrupting or carcinogenic impacts. Waste management technologies expose workers and communities through contaminated air, soil, and water.
• Microplastics in the human body are associated with a wide range of severe medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as inflammation, apoptosis, and necrosis.
• Effective solutions must prioritize comprehensive reduction in the production and use of plastic and shift accountability to manufacturers rather than consumers. The document advocates for systemic changes, such as reusable and refillable systems, and warns that piecemeal measures—such as those targeting only specific products like bags or foam—are often offset by new plastics and additives in global supply chains.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet: Health. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CIEL_2-pagers_The-Hidden-Costs-of-a-Plastic-Planet-Health.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet: Health. n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CIEL_2-pagers_The-Hidden-Costs-of-a-Plastic-Planet-Health.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet: Health |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CIEL_2-pagers_The-Hidden-Costs-of-a-Plastic-Planet-Health.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndhidden, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet: Health}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CIEL_2-pagers_The-Hidden-Costs-of-a-Plastic-Planet-Health.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }