Negotiating the plastics treaty to protect health and the environment
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World Health Organization
Abstract
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This editorial examines ongoing negotiations towards a legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution and argues for a stronger integration of health considerations within the treaty framework. The authors review the growing evidence linking plastics and plastic-associated chemicals to adverse human and environmental health outcomes, noting that plastics contain thousands of chemical substances, many of which are known or suspected to be hazardous. The article highlights health risks associated with exposure to toxic chemicals used in plastics, including endocrine-disrupting compounds, as well as emerging concerns regarding microplastics and nanoplastics. It also discusses the environmental and health impacts that occur throughout the plastics life cycle, from production and use to recycling, disposal and open burning.
The paper critiques approaches that focus primarily on waste management and recycling, arguing that they are insufficient to address the health harms associated with plastics. The authors advocate for a treaty that prioritizes the protection of human health and the environment through measures such as limiting plastic production, eliminating toxic chemicals from plastics, improving transparency and accountability across the plastics life cycle, and promoting safer alternatives. They emphasize that meaningful action is required to reduce pollution-related disease burdens and align international policy with public health objectives.
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