Plastics Impacts on Human Health in the Pacific Region

Once produced, plastics never disappear. They are released into the environment, where they break up into tiny (micro and nano-sized) fragments. They leach toxic chemicals and gases at every stage of their life cycle and they attract and transfer additional toxic chemicals, pathogens, and invasive species. Toxic plastics-related chemicals and nano- and microplastics contaminate soil, food, marine and freshwater sources, air, and the bodies of animals and humans.