Human Harm
Although it may seem weird that plastics can be detrimental to humans, they definitely can be! Plastics already have toxins in them that are dangerous, but when they end up in oceans they act like sponges and absorb other chemicals. When fish eat them, they eat all the chemicals which then stay in and build up in them. If they survive, and humans eat them, those chemicals are now in humans. Direct toxicity from plastics comes from lead, cadmium, and mercury. Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) contained in some plastics, is a toxic carcinogen. Other toxins in plastics are directly linked to cancers, birth defects, immune system problems, and childhood developmental issues. BPA is used in many things including plastic bottles and food packaging materials. Over time the polymer chains of BPA break down, and can enter the human body in many ways from drinking contaminated water to eating a fish that is exposed to the broken down toxins. Specifically, BPA is a known chemical that interferes with human hormonal function.
