Pondering the Problem of Plastic Pollution

Vital Signs

April 2025 Edition: Written by Dr. Zoe L. Rammelkamp

Associated Physician's Family and Friends Volunteering at Wisconsin Food and Pantry Gardens

All of us are exposed to plastic every day. Our favorite snacks come conveniently wrapped in plastic---many of our soaps, shampoos, dental hygiene items, and other beauty products come in neat plastic containers. There is plastic in our activewear, our bedding, our cars, our technology, and our buildings. Plastic is an incredibly versatile material, and it has allowed humans to enjoy a comfortable, modern existence. However, like so many things in life, too much of a good thing can quickly become a bad thing.

The plastic pollution in our oceans, lakes, and rivers, as well as on our beaches, sidewalks, and fields, demonstrates how there is simply too much plastic.  According to the UN Environment Program, 9.2 billion tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s, and because plastic is such a durable material, it will take thousands of years to degrade. Additionally, only 9% of plastic gets recycled due to a multitude of systemic issues. The rate of plastic consumption is increasing; we produce and consume about 430 million tons of plastic each year. This ends up in landfills, oceans, and our natural world. It threatens the health of our marine ecosystems and innocent wildlife.

Not only are fish and birds threatened by plastic pollution, but so is mankind. There is increasing evidence that microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter, are present in human tissues, including the lungs, liver, colon, and spleen. Microplastics have also been identified in human blood, excrement, and saliva. We do not yet know the health implications of these findings, but early research suggests that microplastics could increase the risk of various cancers and could potentially impact human fertility. Without a doubt, we need to learn more about these health impacts and if there is a safe limit to exposure to microplastics.

This all sounds incredibly bleak, I know. However, in honor of Earth Day, which we celebrate every year on April 22nd, I encourage everyone to think about their plastic usage.  There is so much unnecessary consumption in our privileged society. As individuals, we can limit our use of plastic by avoiding plastic bottles, reducing the amount of take-out we order, buying groceries that are not wrapped in plastic, and using reusable bags. However, the most important change is going to come from our governments and from the manufacturers of products containing, and covered in, plastic. We need to let our legislators know that there is enough plastic polluting our beautiful Earth, and right now is the time to clean up our mess.  

Dr. Zoe L. Rammelkamp

Resources:

1.      https://www.aamc.org/news/microplastics-are-inside-us-all-what-does-mean-our-health

2.      https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44246-024-00164-7

3.      https://www.unep.org/beatpollution/beat-plastic-pollution/gameplan-it-is-time-to-beat-plastic-pollution