Plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue—it is a growing global health crisis. Plastics are leaking into and harming water and land-based ecosystems. As a result, micro- and nanoplastics (MnPs) are now entering our bodies too, exposing people and animals everywhere to potentially serious health risks. They are found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. The potential negative impacts on major organ systems of the human body are wide-ranging and long-lasting, with evidence of their severity continuing to emerge.
Understanding the health impacts of plastic pollution requires a One Health approach, which recognises the deep interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health.
The aim of this paper is to distil complex, evolving science into clear insights for policymakers, with a focus on the health impacts of MnPs and six key groups of chemicals commonly used in plastic products. It outlines how these substances enter the human body, the direct health implications and biological mechanisms through which they cause harm, and the wider risks to animal and environmental health. The conclusion outlines policy recommendations based on the weight of current scientific understanding.
