Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention from world leaders, as highlighted by Pete Myers, the chief scientist of Environmental Health Sciences. In a recent article for Reuters, Myers emphasized the urgent need to address the devastating impact of plastic contamination on our health and the environment.

Myers pointed out that plastics are pervasive in our daily lives and can cause serious health problems such as obesity and reduced fertility due to harmful chemicals leaching into our bodies. He also underscored the staggering economic costs of plastic pollution, estimated at $250 billion annually in the U.S., with far-reaching implications for public health and safety.

The discussions around an international treaty on plastics focus on phasing out hazardous and unnecessary plastics as a crucial step towards addressing the crisis. Myers stresses the importance of identifying and eliminating any plastic products that are wasteful, unsafe, and untested, in order to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution on both people and the planet.

Plastics have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, releasing toxic chemicals that pose serious health risks, including cancer, diabetes, and reproductive issues. As plastics break down into microplastics, they contaminate water sources and ecosystems, impacting wildlife and disrupting the environmental balance. A global plastics treaty has the potential to establish enforceable standards for reducing the use of hazardous plastics, promoting alternatives, and reducing the toxic burden on our health and the environment.

Despite being a founding member of the Plastic Health Council and chief scientist at Environmental Health Sciences, Myers is committed to raising awareness about plastic pollution through informed reporting and research at Environmental Health News. Together with others who share his passion for protecting our planet’s health