A comprehensive review by NYU Langone Health reveals that everyday exposure to plastics—especially during childhood—can have long-term consequences on health, including obesity, hormonal imbalance, infertility, asthma, and even impaired brain development.
These findings, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, summarize hundreds of recent studies showing that chemicals found in plastic packaging, cosmetics, and common household products can disrupt hormones, trigger chronic inflammation, and even lower IQ in children.
What Are the Main Chemicals of Concern?
Researchers highlight three major groups of compounds:
- Phthalates – used to make plastics flexible (common in PVC, toys, wires);
- Bisphenols (BPA, BPS) – provide rigidity and are found in bottles, cans, and food containers;
- PFAS (“forever chemicals”) – make materials heat- and water-resistant, used in packaging, Teflon, textiles, and cosmetics.
The problem? These substances act as endocrine disruptors, imitating or blocking natural hormones and altering how the body regulates metabolism, energy, reproduction, and even mood.
Health Effects That Begin in Childhood
Children are particularly vulnerable because their organs and nervous systems are still developing.
Research links early-life plastic exposure with:
- increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance,
- reduced fertility in both males and females,
- higher likelihood of asthma and allergies,
- and neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD and autism spectrum conditions.
How to Reduce Exposure
The good news: prevention is simple and affordable. Here are practical steps parents and individuals can take:
- Use glass or stainless steel instead of plastic containers;
- Avoid microwaving or dishwashing plastic;
- Check labels and avoid cosmetics with phthalates or parabens;
- Do not reuse single-use plastic bottles;
- Choose fresh, unprocessed foods whenever possible — plastic packaging often releases microplastics and chemical residues.
Health of the Individual = Health of the Planet
While plastic plays an essential role in modern medicine (ventilators, infusion sets, sterile packaging), its excessive and unnecessary use has become a public health issue.
Health costs linked to plastic-related toxins are estimated to exceed $250 billion annually in the U.S. alone.
Beyond individual choices, experts emphasize the need for stronger regulations and collective action — especially in vulnerable communities.
Source: The effects of plastic exposures on children’s health and urgent opportunities for prevention. Trasande, Leonardo et al. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, Volume 9, Issue 11, 796 – 807
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Vitality knows no age when health is guided by knowledge!
