Plastique et santé

The report details how plastic exposure occurs at every stage of its life cycle—from extraction and refining to consumer use and waste management—releasing toxic chemicals and microplastics that cause severe health issues including cancer and endocrine disruption. It calls for a shift from fragmented assessments to a comprehensive life-cycle approach, increased transparency regarding chemical additives, and a global reduction in plastic production.

• Plastic poses a global health threat that requires a life-cycle approach because fragmented assessments of specific products or exposure pathways are insufficient to address the complex, intersecting health impacts occurring from extraction to disposal.
• The extraction and transport phase, primarily involving hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, utilizes over 170 chemicals that can cause cancer, neurological, reproductive, and developmental toxicity, as well as immune system disorders.
• Refining and manufacturing processes release carcinogenic and highly toxic substances into the air, putting industry workers and nearby communities at high risk for leukemia, genetic impacts such as low birth weight, and nervous system disorders.
• Consumer use of plastic products leads to the inhalation and ingestion of microplastics and hundreds of toxic substances that may disrupt the endocrine system or be carcinogenic.
• Microplastics in the environment degrade and continuously release toxic additives, which can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and necrosis in humans, contributing to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• A lack of transparency regarding the chemical composition of plastics and production processes prevents regulatory bodies from creating adequate protections and hinders consumers and affected communities from limiting their exposure.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). Plastique et santé. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Plastic-Health-French.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Plastique et santé. n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Plastic-Health-French.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Plastique et santé |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Plastic-Health-French.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndplastique, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Plastique et santé}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Plastic-Health-French.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }