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Plastics & Human Health Quiz
Plastics & Human Health Quiz
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What are microplastics?
When plastic waste is dumped in the ocean, ocean waves break down plastic into particles known as microplastics. Microplastics float around the environment, carrying endocrine disrupting chemicals , such as flame retardants and biocides.
How do toxic chemicals in plastics enter the human body?
When microplastics enter the environment, they are dispersed into water, food, and float as <a target=”_blank” href="https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/plastics-and-health/"airborne plastic pollution. When we eat, drink, and breathe, humans unknowingly ingest and inhale toxic chemicals, which have detrimental impacts at the cellular level.
What are common effects of plastics on human health?
Microplastics damage cells in the human body causing serious health effects, like cancers and lung disease. Not only this, but toxic chemical additives in plastics can alter hormone activity in the human body disrupting reproductive and growth development, potentially causing serious birth defects felt for generations.
True or False: Young adults, children and infants in the womb are most vulnerable to serious health effects from plastics.
Plastic pollution is hazardous for all humans, but children and infants in the womb are particularly vulnerable to the toxic chemicals carried by microplastics. Exposure to plastics increases risks of birth complications, lung growth, and childhood cancer.
What widely used substance for manufacturing plastic is dangerous for human endocrine activity?
BPA is used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics for bottles, utensils, toys and other commonly used products. Drinking and eating from plastic containers exposes people to low levels of BPA which poses a potential risk to human health, especially to youth.
What is the estimated global cost of plastic-related health effects per year?
In 2022, it was estimated that the global annual cost of plastic related social costs including health effects stands at a staggering $100 billion. This not only includes health effects from cell mutation such as cancers, but also the impact of plastics on climate change: plastic production produces greenhouse gas emissions which are dangerous for respiratory health.
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