From Asbestos to Plastic: History is Repeating Itself with a New Toxic Threat

The dangers of asbestos are well-known, having left a legacy of health issues and environmental damage. But is there another material silently wreaking havoc on a similar scale? Growing evidence suggests that plastic could be the “new asbestos” – a pervasive substance with far-reaching consequences for our planet and well-being.

The Unsettling Parallels: A Deeper Look

It’s not hard to find similarities between asbestos and plastic:

• Ubiquity: Like asbestos, plastic has infiltrated almost every aspect of our lives. Plastic’s presence is undeniable, from food packaging to clothing, electronics to building materials.
• Hidden Health Risks: While the exact health effects of plastic are still being studied, early research is raising concerns about hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and even potential links to cancer. Asbestos, of course, is infamous for causing serious respiratory diseases.
• Durability and Persistence: Both asbestos and plastic are incredibly durable. They don’t readily break down, leading to long-term accumulation in the environment.
• Environmental Contamination: Plastic pollution is now found everywhere, from the deepest ocean trenches to the peaks of Mt. Everest. Similarly, asbestos fibers can linger in soil and air, posing ongoing risks.

Like asbestos, plastic has become ubiquitous, infiltrating every facet of modern life. A 2017 study published in Science Advances, Production, use, and Fate of All Plastics Ever Made, estimated that a staggering 12,000 million metric tons of plastic waste will have accumulated in landfills or the natural environment by 2050. 

This omnipresence, driven by plastic’s versatility and low production costs, mirrors the widespread use of asbestos in construction, insulation, and consumer goods throughout the 20th century.

Health Risks of Asbestos and Plastic

Both asbestos and components of plastic pose health risks to humans. Asbestos fibers, inhaled or ingested, can lodge in the lungs and other organs, causing debilitating diseases.  The Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry notes the following risks asbestos can cause to our health:

• Asbestosis is scarring in the lungs caused by breathing asbestos fibers. Oxygen and carbon dioxide do not pass in and out of scarred lungs easily, so breathing becomes harder. Asbestosis usually occurs in people who have had very high exposures over a long time, but years may pass before any symptoms appear.
• Pleural disease is a non-cancerous lung condition that causes changes in the membrane surrounding the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). The membrane may become thicker throughout (diffuse pleural thickening) or in isolated areas (pleural plaques), or fluid may build up around the lungs (known as a pleural effusion). Not everyone with pleural changes will have problems breathing, but some may have less efficient lung function.
• Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that invades and blocks the lung’s air passages. Smoking tobacco combined with asbestos exposure greatly increases the chance of developing lung cancer.
• Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the membrane that covers the lungs and chest cavity (pleura), the membrane lining the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), or membranes surrounding other internal organs.  Signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.

The health risks associated with plastic are a growing concern.

Research from the Endocrine Society and the IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network) indicates that chemicals used in plastic production, such as phthalates and bisphenols, can disrupt hormones, impair reproductive function, and potentially contribute to the development of certain cancers. While the full extent of plastic’s impact on human health is still under investigation, the similarities to asbestos, a known carcinogen, are deeply troubling.

The Plastic Pollution Pandemic: A Global Threat

Microplastics have been found in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, and on our planet’s highest peaks. A 2020 study, Microplastic Pollution in Deep-Sea Sediments From the Great Australian Bight, estimated that over 14 million tons of microplastics reside on the ocean floor alone.

Seabirds and marine mammals ingest plastic debris, mistaking it for food. A 2015 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences estimated that 90% of seabirds have ingested plastic. These animals suffer from malnutrition, intestinal blockages, and poisoning from the chemicals in plastics.

Ocean currents carry plastic waste into massive gyres, where it accumulates in vast garbage patches. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the world’s largest offshore plastic accumulation zone located between Hawaii and California, is a stark example of plastic’s devastating impact on marine habitats.

Charting a Path Forward: Hope and Action

The plastic crisis is a formidable challenge, but not an insurmountable one. The first step is acknowledging the scale of the problem and recognizing the similarities to the asbestos disaster. We must adopt a precautionary approach, reducing our reliance on single-use plastics and advocating for stricter regulations on plastic production and disposal.

Supporting research into the health and environmental impacts of plastic is crucial. We need a deeper understanding of the risks to develop effective solutions. Embracing circular economy models, where plastic is reused and recycled rather than discarded, offers a promising pathway.

Ultimately, the fight against plastic pollution requires a collective effort. Consumers, industries, and governments must work together to reduce plastic waste, promote sustainable alternatives, and protect the health of our planet and future generations. The legacy of asbestos serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. Let us learn from the past and choose a different path for plastic.

Take a deeper dive with these recommended reads that consider our plastic problem and offer tips for more sustainable living: