Part 7: The Plastic Plague – Confronting the Toxic Truth
- Jane E Porter
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
This is the final post in this series, so let’s get down and dirty – let’s talk plastic. Not the Instagram kind, the kind that’s bathing in our bloodstreams, lounging in our lungs and fermenting in our food. While mega-corps laugh all the way to the bank, we’re microwaving last night’s curry in a tub of toxicity.
🎧 Prefer to listen? I’ve recorded this post as a short podcast - it's cool, just hit play and enjoy. It's also available on SoundCloud - click the link to listen.
Plastic Pollution Crisis: The Stats You Need to Know
Every year, over 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced, almost half of which is single-use plastic. It’s in our oceans, our landfills and our food chain. The plastic we use for a few minutes often lingers on the planet for hundreds of years, leaching toxins into the environment and our bodies.
This isn’t just an environmental crisis. It’s a potential health crisis.
The Science Behind Petite Plastics
In 2022, scientists from the Netherlands and the UK found microplastics deep in the lungs of surgical patients and in the blood of anonymous donors.
These tiny airborne particles can penetrate the body and are linked to dizziness, lung irritation, asthma, cancer, and more.
Also concerning are the thousands of chemicals that plastics contain - many of them toxic. Substances like BPA and phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with hormones and increase the risk of infertility, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, cancer and developmental issues.
The truth is, plastic is no longer just out there - it’s in here, inside us 😬
Plastic Poisons – The Main Culprits 🤮
Many everyday plastic products affect our health by leaking harmful chemicals or releasing microplastics. Here are some of the worst offenders:
Food containers & packaging: Chemicals like BPA and phthalates creep into our food, especially when heated (last night’s takeaway). These are linked to hormone disruption and increased cancer risk.
Bottled water and soft drinks: Studies have found that there are hundreds of thousands of microplastic fragments per litre, risking cellular damage and inflammation.
Plastic utensils & plates: When used with hot or acidic foods, these can release harmful chemicals.
Children’s toys: Often made with phthalates, chemicals that can disrupt hormones and impact development.
Personal care products: Plastic packaging and microplastics in cosmetics and shampoos can introduce harmful chemicals like PFAS (‘forever chemicals’) into our bodies.
Synthetic clothing: Polyester and nylon shed microfibers, which can be inhaled or ingested.
Hope 🌱
The good news? Change is happening. From policies banning single-use plastics to exciting innovations in biodegradable materials, progress is underway, led by people like us. Whether it’s shifting the way we shop, choosing the brands we support, or rethinking our consumption habits, every choice counts.
Action 🌍
It can feel overwhelming, but the future isn’t written yet, and micro steps can make a big difference.
Here are a few ideas to reduce plastic exposure and make healthier choices:
Swap disposable plastic bottles for reusable ones
Choose glass or stainless steel containers for food storage
Opt for natural fibres like cotton or bamboo, whether it’s clothes, toys, or utensils
Look for plastic-free personal care products or those in recyclable packaging
So, are we plastic people? A plastic population, propping up plastic profits? Or are we the ones who say F*** Y** to the billion-dollar corps wrecking our planet and our health? 😈
Let me know in the comments.
Thank up so much for hanging out with me and diving into climate change and hope for the future. Next up, I’m retreating to the comfort of my favourite topic, psychology and looking at why we are all so ****** wonderful. Do join me for that.
Until next time ...
Selected Resources (click links for more info)
Jane E Porter is a fine artist and illustrator from Scotland, dedicated to exploring and understanding the fascinating interplay between art, psychology and philosophy. She shares insights and observations made over the past two decades with a delightful mix of wit and wisdom. Join her as she continues her journey, delving into these themes, offering you fresh perspectives and insights on art, identity and storytelling.