To solidify plastic products, producers use reinforcing substances such as bisphenol A (BPA). To make plastic soft and flexible, producers use plasticizers such as phthalates. To make furniture and electronics less flammable, fire retardants are added to plastic during production. Altogether there are thousands of plastic additives used that consumers come into contact with on a daily basis. Some of these substances are harmful to health and are found in human urine and blood as a result of exposure.

BPA and Endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Bisphenol A (BPA) used in plastic and plasticizers are strongly suspected of disrupting our hormone balance. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is associated with around 80 diseases, including testicular cancer, obesity, and reproductive disorders. Unborn and young children are particularly vulnerable because their hormone system is still in development. As early as 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned the world about the possible carcinogenic properties of endocrine disruptors such as in its report State of the science of endocrine-disrupting chemicals; it concluded that these substances are a global threat to public health. Unfortunately, where BPA and other harmful additives are already banned, alternatives are used. It is feared that these alternative additives are just as (if not more) harmful to health because they belong to the same chemical group. There is a compelling need for an international approach. In 2018, Wemos, an independent civil society organization that aims to improve public health worldwide, presented a National Plan (in Dutch) to protect the Dutch population and future generations against large-scale exposure to and health effects from endocrine disruptive chemicals.

6-Amino-1,3-dimethyluracil

Flame retardants

Plastic is made from petroleum and therefore, burns well. To prevent plastic from burning too easily, flame retardants are added. These additives are used in various electronics and insulation materials, among other things. Flame retardants are toxic and do not break down easily in nature. When plastic burns in the open air, toxic dioxins are released.

Plastic products can be recycled into new products, but any additives from the old product end up in the new product because they cannot be removed during the recycling process most of the time. 95 Rubik’s Cubes made from recycled materials were examined in 2017. Of these, 90% contained toxic flame retardants from discarded electronic devices. Another study found brominated dioxins in toys. These products were also made from plastic from recycled plastic electronic waste that contained brominated flame retardants. Brominated dioxins are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that, among other things, affect the nervous system and hormone balance. They are also carcinogens.