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Scientists told about the harm of plastic for health
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
Experts from Australia have discovered a connection between the composition of plastic and the development of certain chronic pathologies.
There is not a single person who has not encountered plastic in their life – after all, it surrounds us almost everywhere. Windows, furniture, plastic dishes, plastic toys and household items – we deal with all of this every day.
The fact that plastic releases chemicals has been known for a long time. However, for a long time no one could prove how exactly the release of these chemicals affects our health. Today, scientists claim that in order to reduce the degree of danger to health, it is better to replace plastic products with wooden, metal or ceramic ones.
Over the past few years, health professionals have been debating the potential dangers of phthalates, with most countries replacing these substances with other, less harmful components. However, the overall demand for phthalate-containing products around the world has hardly decreased.
Why are phthalates so dangerous? Scientists have tried to answer this question.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Institute of Medicine and Research conducted a detailed study of the health effects of phthalates on 1,500 adult male volunteers.
The average age of the experiment participants was 35 years old – this is the age when a person is able to accumulate the maximum amount of harmful chemical compounds. During previous experiments, it was noted that eating semi-finished products and packaged products, as well as sweet soda, leads to the accumulation of phthalates in the body.
"We compared the blood levels of phthalates with the participants' overall morbidity rates. These chemicals were found to increase the risk of myocardial ischemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes," said study leader Dr. Zuming Shi.
The results of the study were considered reliable, since both the lifestyle characteristics of the participants and individual social factors were taken into account.
Even in people who were overweight – and 82% were – the main risk factor was still the same phthalates.
"We have previously conducted studies on the impact of phthalates on the health of children and the elderly. Now we have analyzed the relationship between the composition of plastic and the health of healthy 35-year-old men," comments Professor Shi.
Now scientists are trying to understand how chemical components can lead to the development of several pathologies at the same time. Presumably, plastic affects the functioning of the endocrine glands. However, it is noteworthy that against the background of increased levels of phthalates, markers of a chronic inflammatory reaction were observed in the examined people.
Almost 15 years ago, scientists proved that monocomponent phthalates activate the production of interleukins, which support the inflammatory process. If phthalates actually lead to inflammatory changes in blood vessels, then all the links in the chain are connected.
Perhaps the time has already come when humanity will have to think seriously about what surrounds it and what it has to eat.
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