Plastics Impacts on Human Health in the Pacific Region - Factsheet 4
Waste Management and Pollution Control
Available Online
Once produced, plastic never disappear. They are released into the environment, where they break up into tiny (micro-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.