Recycled Plastic Pellets Leach 80+ Chemicals That Disrupt Fish Metabolism
Researchers say the findings underscore the need to ban toxic additives in the upcoming Global Plastics Treaty negotiations
Overview
- Exposure of zebrafish larvae to water containing recycled polyethylene pellets triggered increases in gene expression related to lipid metabolism, adipogenesis and endocrine regulation
- Analysis of single recycled plastic pellets revealed more than 80 chemicals, including UV-stabilizers, plasticizers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and biocides
- Bethanie Carney Almroth warns that undisclosed additives in recycled plastics threaten human health by disturbing hormones and contributing to reproductive and metabolic disorders
- The study highlights a lack of transparency in plastics recycling and supports calls for stricter controls on chemical additives throughout the plastics value chain
- Authors aim to influence final negotiations in Geneva this August by urging treaty delegates to include bans on hazardous chemicals in plastics