The Science of
Plastic & Health

Key Findings

• ~56,600 preterm births in 2018 linked to phthalate exposure (10% of all US preterm births)
• Mothers with highest phthalate exposure have 50% higher risk of preterm delivery
• Medical costs estimated at $1.6–$8.1 billion over children's lifetimes
• Phthalates measured at 3 points during pregnancy showed dose-response relationship

Methodology

5,000+ mothers studied with 20 phthalate metabolites measured at 3 points during pregnancy. Largest study of its kind with racially/ethnically diverse population.

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Additional Coverage

Key Findings

• 205,000+ low birth weight cases per year globally attributed to microplastic exposure
• Third trimester exposure is most harmful to fetal development
• Doubling of exposure increases low birth weight hazard by 0.37 per 1,000 births
• Microplastics become airborne from seawater evaporation and are inhaled

Methodology

3 million births analyzed across 15 countries on 4 continents. Remote-sensing measurements of marine microplastic concentrations merged with birth outcome data.

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Key Findings

• Microplastics found on both sides of placenta
• Particles detected in amniotic fluid
• Exposure occurs during critical fetal development
• All placentas tested contained microplastics

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Key Findings

• High dibutyl phthalate exposure associated with ~2x increased rate of ER+ breast cancer (HR 1.9)
• Risk particularly pronounced in premenopausal women
• 27,111 breast cancer cases analyzed over 10-year median follow-up
• Phthalates mimic estrogen and disrupt cellular signals

Methodology

Danish nationwide cohort study with 27,111 invasive breast cancer cases. 84% were estrogen receptor-positive. Median follow-up of 10 years.

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Key Findings

• 20% higher overall childhood cancer risk from phthalate exposure
• Phthalates are endocrine disruptors found in most plastics
• Children are more vulnerable due to developing organ systems
• Exposure occurs through food, personal care products, and household items

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Key Findings

• Microplastics detected in human tumor tissue samples
• Found in multiple types of tumors
• Plastics may serve as carriers for carcinogenic chemicals
• Research ongoing to determine causal relationships

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Key Findings

• Microplastics found embedded in 58% of patients' arterial plaque
• Patients with microplastics in plaque are 5x more likely to have heart attack or stroke
• Risk materializes within just 3 years of plaque detection
• Plastics deposit toxins directly into cardiovascular tissue

Methodology

Carotid endarterectomy patients followed prospectively. Plaque samples analyzed for microplastic content and correlated with cardiovascular events.

Source

Key Findings

• 76% increased risk of cardiovascular death with high BPA exposure
• BPA disrupts electrical signaling in the heart, triggering abnormal activity
• Phthalates weaken the heart's ability to contract
• BPA leaches from plastic especially when heated (up to 55x more)

Methodology

Prospective cohort study measuring urinary BPA levels and tracking cardiovascular mortality outcomes.

Source

Key Findings

• 4.22 million microplastic particles released per cm² during 3 minutes of microwave heating
• 2.11 billion nanoplastic particles released per cm² in the same period
• Polypropylene containers release ~1,000x more nanoplastics than microplastics
• Extracted particles killed 77% of human kidney cells in lab tests

Methodology

Laboratory analysis of polypropylene containers under microwave heating, refrigeration, and room-temperature storage. In vitro toxicity testing on human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T).

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Key Findings

• Chemical leaching increases up to 55x when plastic is heated
• Hot, oily, and acidic foods accelerate chemical migration
• Even "microwave-safe" plastics release chemicals when heated
• Cold food storage in plastic is significantly safer

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Key Findings

• Banned flame retardant BDE-209 found at levels up to 1,200x EU limit of 10 ppm
• 85% of tested black plastic items contained flame retardants
• Total flame retardant concentrations ranged up to 22,800 ppm in some products
• Contamination comes from recycled electronic waste mixed into food-contact plastics

Methodology

Testing of black plastic household items including kitchen utensils, food containers, and toys. Bromine screening followed by detailed flame retardant analysis.

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Additional Coverage

Key Findings

• ~25,000 micron-sized microplastic particles released per cup in 15 minutes
• ~10 billion sub-micron particles released into 100ml of hot water
• Toxic heavy metals (lead, chromium, cadmium) detected in cup linings
• Fluoride, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate ions also released into drinks

Methodology

Analysis of polyethylene-lined paper cups exposed to hot water (85-90°C) using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

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Key Findings

• PLA bioplastics show in-vitro toxicity similar to conventional plastics
• Endocrine-disrupting activity detected in PLA products
• "Bio-based" does not mean safe or chemical-free
• Marketing claims about safety are often misleading

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Key Findings

• Hot liquids dramatically increase PLA microplastic release
• Coffee and tea temperatures accelerate breakdown
• Microplastics directly ingested with each drink
• Daily coffee drinkers face significant cumulative exposure

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Key Findings

• Lactic-acid oligomers migrate from PLA into food
• Non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) also transfer
• Fatty, acidic, and hot foods increase migration
• Sauces, soups, and oily foods are highest risk

Source

Key Findings

• Nearly all paper takeout containers have a polyethylene (plastic) or PFAS "forever chemical" coating inside to prevent leaks
• Heat, fat, and acidity accelerate chemical leaching from the lining into your food
• How to spot them: if the inside feels smooth, shiny, or waxy, it contains plastic, even if the outside looks like natural brown paper
• The plastic lining cannot be separated from the paper, making these containers non-recyclable in most communities
• Only 11% of US communities have facilities that can actually recycle poly-lined paper cups and containers
• In NYC, DSNY explicitly lists "plastic- or wax-coated paper (take-out containers)" as non-recyclable

Methodology

NextGen Consortium national infrastructure analysis combined with NYC Department of Sanitation recycling guidelines and peer-reviewed studies on chemical migration from food packaging.

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Additional Coverage

Key Findings

• Tomato sauce cooked in aluminum contains 3-6 mg aluminum per 100g serving
• Acidic foods (pH < 4) accelerate aluminum leaching
• Adding sugar during cooking reduces aluminum migration
• Still well below EFSA tolerable weekly intake for most consumers

Methodology

Analysis of aluminum content in tomato sauce before and after cooking and storage in aluminum containers.

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Key Findings

• No microplastic shedding from aluminum containers
• Stable at high temperatures
• No endocrine-disrupting chemicals
• Safe for reheating in conventional ovens

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Key Findings

• 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today
• Recycling aluminum uses only 5% of the energy needed for new production
• Aluminum can recycled content is 71% vs 3-10% for plastic containers
• Aluminum can value: $1,338/ton vs $215/ton for PET plastic

Methodology

Industry-wide Key Performance Indicator survey conducted in 2024 covering production year 2022.

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Key Findings

• No chemical leaching detected from pure fiber containers
• Safe at all temperatures
• No microplastic concerns
• Naturally biodegradable without toxic residue

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Key Findings

• Complete biodegradation in 60-90 days
• Returns nutrients to soil ecosystem
• No microplastic residue left behind
• Certified compostable products meet ASTM D6400/D6868 standards

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Key Findings

• Zero microplastic shedding detected from pure fiber
• Safe with hot, acidic, and oily foods
• No nanoplastic particles released
• The safest choice for takeout containers

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Key Findings

• Only 9% of plastic has ever been recycled globally
• 12% has been incinerated
• 79% has accumulated in landfills or environment
• Recycling is not a solution to plastic pollution

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