The pervasive presence of plastics in our environment and their potential implications on human health is a growing concern. Health risks exist at all stages of the plastic lifecycle— from production, use, recycling, and eventual disposal, as well as from legacy plastics in the environment. As plastics degrade, they release additives, nano- and micro-plastics, and oligomers, which can infiltrate air, water, and food sources. Increasing evidence of the consumption and inhalation of nano- and micro-plastics, concerns about exposures to harmful additives used to give plastics particular properties, and the need for improved understanding of potential effects on human health and associated risks are becoming integral parts of public health discourse.
