Investigation finds widespread health risks linked to chemicals in everyday plastics

The findings indicate that nearly 93 per cent of known chemicals used in plastics for food packaging, clothing, toys and other everyday products are considered to present a high risk to human health. Researchers also highlighted a significant information gap, saying many chemicals used in plastics have not been sufficiently studied to determine their full effects on the human body.

The findings are particularly significant because plastic remains deeply integrated into modern life. More than 80 per cent of fresh produce sold in US supermarkets is estimated to be packaged in plastic, while around 60 per cent of clothing contains plastic-based fibres.

Plastic is also widely used in products for children. Estimates suggest that around 90 per cent of children's toys are made partly or entirely from plastic.

Experts say these figures illustrate the difficulty of completely avoiding exposure to plastic and its associated chemicals in everyday life.

The investigation does not suggest that people must eliminate all plastic products from their lives. Instead, it highlights the potential value of reducing unnecessary plastic use where practical, particularly when alternatives are available.

The findings also underline the need for further research into the large number of chemicals used in plastic manufacturing, especially those whose long-term effects on human health remain unclear.

For consumers, the issue is therefore not simply the presence of plastic itself, but also the different chemicals that can be added to plastic products and the limited information available about some of them.

As plastic continues to be widely used in food packaging, clothing, toys and other household products, researchers say greater awareness, stronger regulation and additional scientific research may be needed to better understand and reduce potential health risks.