Plastics are poisoning us

Waste: A photo from 2022 of fisherman Amin Hassan from Kampung Sungai Temon Besar, Perling, Johor Baru, collecting plastic bottles washed into the mangroves near his village. Plastic waste is not only unsightly but toxic chemicals in it leach into the environment. — Filepic/The Star

REDUCE plastic production and address chemicals in plastics globally to protect human health and the environment, recommends a new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report released earlier this month.Chemicals released throughout the life cycle of plastics pose serious health and environmental threats, says “Chemicals in Plastics: A Technical Report”.

About 22 million tonnes of plastics, and chemicals from these plastics, are released globally to the environment every year, the report says, citing a 2022 OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) source. Most chemicals used to make plastics or found in them can leach out into the surroundings over time. The chemicals released from plastics during production, use and disposal can contaminate air, water, soil and food chains, with consequent risks to human health.