Water could be responsible for making plastic harmful, study says

Key Points:

• A new study published in Nature reveals that chemical reactions between water and six types of fossil fuel-based plastics produce particles that damage red blood cells and proteins, potentially increasing health risks from microplastics and nanoplastics in the human body.
• The research shows that water acts as a catalyst creating hydroxyl radicals—unstable molecules linked to aging and disease—especially from plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene, which are commonly used in food containers and packaging.
• Scientists are increasingly finding microplastics throughout the human body, including vital organs, with emerging evidence suggesting their role in triggering diseases such as heart disease, dementia, and impaired fertility.
• Experts emphasize the need for truly biodegradable plastics as current plastics may not be inert and could contribute to inflammation and other health issues; however, industry representatives caution that more research is needed to confirm effects at human exposure levels.
• With over 8 billion tons of plastic pollution globally and production expected to triple by 2060, the study highlights urgent concerns about plastic pollution’s impact on human health and the environment, especially in critical water sources like the Great Lakes.