plastics and health

Plastics pose threat to human health

Authoritative report shows plastic, microplastics are pervasive sources of exposure to dangerous endocrine-disrupting chemicals Plastics contain and leach hazardous chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that threaten human health. An authoritative new report, Plastics, EDCs, & Health, from the Endocrine Society and the IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network), presents a summary of international research on the…

toxic additives in plastic

Toxic Additives in Plastics

Toxic chemicals of concern that are widespread in common plastic products can hinder the momentum for a circular economy. A new report, coordinated by the Barcelona-based(1) Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC), serving both the Stockholm Convention and the Barcelona Convention, has been produced in collaboration with the International Pollutants Elimination Network…

Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July

To mark its 10-year anniversary, the Plastic Free July® challenge is calling on people to choose to refuse single-use plastic in a bid to help exceed last year’s worldwide efforts and hit the global target of 1 billion kilos of waste avoidance. The Plastic Free July challenge helps millions of people take small, daily actions…

dioxins in recycled plastics

High Levels of Dioxins Found in Children’s Toys

Alarming levels of some of the most toxic chemicals, including brominated dioxins and brominated flame retardants, were found in consumer products made of recycled plastics sold in Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, the EU, India, Japan and Nigeria. Dioxins were measured in children’s toys and hair accessories at levels comparable to those found in hazardous wastes,…

toxics in plastics - Toxic Soup Cover

Dioxins found in plastic toys

A new study, “Toxic Soup: Dioxins in Plastic Toys”, shows alarming levels of very toxic brominated dioxins in eight toys and one hair clip made of recycled plastic stemming from electronic waste. Dioxin content in toys from Czechia, Germany, France, Portugal, Argentina, India and Nigeria was comparable to the levels found in previous studies in…