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A groundbreaking study co-authored by a University of Massachusetts Amherst economist has revealed that the health and economic costs associated with three toxic chemicals commonly used in plastics amount to an astounding $1.5 trillion in a single year. The research, published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focuses on the detrimental impacts of these chemicals, which contribute to premature deaths, chronic diseases, and cognitive impairments worldwide.
The study analyzed data from 38 countries, representing about one-third of the global population. The chemicals in question—Bisphenol A (BPA), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)—are prevalent in various plastic products, including food packaging, household items, and electronics.
Yongjoon Park, assistant professor of resource economics at UMass Amherst and co-author of the study, emphasized the limited understanding of the health effects of many chemicals in plastics. “More than 16,000 chemicals are incorporated into plastics to produce color, flexibility, and durability, but we know very little about how most of them affect human health,” Park stated. “Looking at just three chemicals, we found significant health and economic costs—and we believe these estimates to be quite conservative.”
The three chemicals have well-documented health risks. BPA, an endocrine disruptor often found in food packaging, is linked to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and reproductive disorders. DEHP, used in industrial food processing and household products, has been associated with cardiovascular mortality and developmental issues, particularly in children. PBDEs, which act as flame retardants in synthetic textiles and furniture, are neurotoxic and impair cognitive development in children exposed during pregnancy.
For the year 2015, the study found that:
- BPA exposure contributed to 5.4 million cases of heart disease and 346,000 strokes, leading to 431,000 deaths. The economic toll of these deaths was nearly $1 trillion.
- DEHP exposure, particularly among individuals aged 55-64, resulted in approximately 164,000 deaths, with an economic loss of $398 billion.
- PBDEs exposure during pregnancy led to a loss of 11.7 million IQ points in children born that year, resulting in productivity losses exceeding $80 billion.
The research team, led by Maureen L. Cropper, distinguished university professor of economics at the University of Maryland, aimed to quantify the global health impacts of these chemicals. Cropper highlighted that, in the U.S., health damages from these chemicals were much greater in the past, though regulatory measures have led to improvements in recent years. For instance, cardiovascular mortality attributed to BPA fell by 60% from 2003 to 2015 due to both regulatory actions and voluntary measures taken by manufacturers.
Despite these advancements, the study warns that over 70% of chemicals used in plastics remain untested for toxicity, creating an ongoing risk to public health.
The authors stress the need for a shift in chemical regulation, urging stronger protections for human health. “Protection of human health against the hazards of chemicals in plastics will require a paradigm shift in national chemical law,” the study’s authors concluded. They also called for binding international agreements through the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty, particularly to protect public health in low- and middle-income countries, where plastic consumption is increasing rapidly.
This study highlights the urgent need for global action to address the widespread health risks posed by chemicals in plastics and underscores the importance of a collaborative approach to reduce exposure to harmful substances.
For more information, the study can be accessed in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
