Plastic production is intricately linked to the usage of thousands of chemicals, with approximately 13,000 such compounds associated with this industry. Astonishingly, only about 7,000 of these chemicals have been subjected to scrutiny regarding their potential health and environmental ramifications. Equally concerning is the fact that nearly half of these scrutinized chemicals have elements that are recognized as hazardous to human health.
The study of these chemicals has spanned five decades, traversed multiple languages, generated thousands of publications, and introduced a bewildering array of acronyms, synonyms, and chemical compounds. Consequently, navigating this complex landscape of research is no small feat. Nonetheless, this undertaking has assumed critical significance as plastic production continues to surge, raising the specter of substantial threats to human health.
The dearth of research and understanding about the health implications of plastic chemicals, particularly in regions of the Global South, raises alarming concerns. As plastic production escalates worldwide, the urgency to investigate and comprehend the potential health hazards posed by these chemicals becomes all the more pressing.
