Overview

• A new expert review in The Lancet labels plastics a severe, under-recognized threat to human health at every stage from extraction to disposal.
• Researchers estimate plastic-related diseases and deaths cost at least $1.5 trillion globally each year and report microplastics in human tissues and fluids.
• Open burning of about 57% of unmanaged plastic waste is a major source of air pollution and heightens vector-borne disease risks in low- and middle-income countries.
• The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics has launched to track indicators across production, exposures, health impacts and interventions, with its first report due mid-2026.
• Experts meeting in Geneva from August 5 to 14 are urged to include production caps, full chemical transparency and life-cycle management in the binding plastics treaty measures.