Early exposure to chemicals found in plastics can pose significant health risks to children that last into adulthood, according to an analysis of hundreds of recent studies published in the journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.
The review, which found children face an acute danger from plastics in the environment, focused on three classes of substances in plastics: phthalates, which make plastics flexible; bisphenols, which provide strength; and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which make materials heat-resistant and water-repellent.
These chemicals are found in everyday products such as food packaging, cosmetics and paper receipts, according to lead author Leonardo Trasande, a professor of paediatrics at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York.
For example, heating plastic in a microwave can release microplastics and nanoparticles, which may then be ingested.
There is strong evidence that substances from plastic products contribute to diseases in multiple organs and disrupt hormone function, the team writes, citing studies conducted in laboratories and on humans.
Additionally, exposure to toxins from plastics has been linked to nervous system disorders, reduced fertility and IQ loss.
The chemicals may also be associated with long-term conditions such as heart problems, ADHD, obesity and low birth weight.
Trasande said the findings show the role plastics play in the early development of many chronic diseases which persist into the teenage years and into adulthood.
To keep children healthy, the use of plastics must be seriously limited, he said.
The research team also highlighted protective measures, like replacing plastic containers with those made of glass or stainless steel and avoiding putting plastic in microwaves or dishwashers.
“There are safe and simple steps parents can take to reduce their children’s exposure to plastics without straining their budget,” Trasande said, adding that doctors and schools could also contribute to raising awareness.
However, whether beverages in glass bottles contain less microplastic than those in plastic bottles remains controversial.
Even in glass bottles, a certain amount of microplastic has been detected, said Eleonore Fröhlich from the Medical University of Graz. Studies have shown that glass bottles are not necessarily better in this regard.
“Many seafood products and even salt also contain comparatively high levels of microplastics,” she added.
The researchers also emphasised that plastics remain indispensable in medicine – for example, in ventilators for premature babies, nebulisers, or protective masks. However, they criticised their use in situations where it could be avoided.
Source: AAP
