Effects of plastic exposure on human health.

Plastic exposure in humans is linked in the evidence base to adverse health outcomes, including risks tied to microplastics, nanoplastics, and associated chemicals.

• Why it matters: The stakes are high because plastic pollution is a major environmental and public health problem, yet the field still has critical gaps in what specific exposures drive which outcomes.
• What they did: This review synthesizes available clinical and epidemiological evidence on human exposure to plastics and evaluates health risks, including chemicals associated with plastics and their potential roles in carcinogenicity and endocrine and immune disruption.
• The result: The integrated evidence provides a foundation for advancing research and informing preventive strategies, including emerging approaches such as the United Nations Plastics Treaty and proposed public health guidelines.

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