Plastic products in Germany contain potentially harmful chemicals, with three-quarters of them containing such substances. Even bioplastics have been found to contain dangerous chemicals. Spanish scientists recently discovered that baby clothes contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that can interfere with human hormones and is considered hazardous to health by the medical community. In light of this, researchers at the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) investigated the chemicals present in everyday plastic and plastic products. The study, published in the Environmental Science & Technology journal, examined 34 plastic items, including plastic bottles, freezer bags, shampoo containers, and yogurt cups. The scientists found 1,411 different chemical substances, with harmful substances present in three out of four products.
The complex manufacturing process of plastics creates a cocktail of substances, many of which are unknown, according to Carolin Völker, co-author of the study. Plastic products contain not only plasticizers but also other additives such as stabilizers and dyes, depending on their intended use. The researchers dissolved the individual substances in the laboratory to examine their health effects on cell cultures. The study found that a large proportion of the products contained substances that caused oxidative stress, triggered hormone-like effects, or were toxic to cells. The study also found that products made from PVC and PUR plastics contained the most different chemicals, with an average of 1,411 substances found.
The high number of substances found is problematic, as only 260 of them were definitively identified in the laboratory. The study’s lead author, Lisa Zimmermann, explains that “the scientists mostly do not know what they are dealing with in plastic products.” It is therefore practically impossible to determine the risks that these substances pose to humans and the environment. While the study does not provide specific recommendations for consumers, Zimmermann believes that “such chemicals should not be present in plastics, even if it is not yet known how they affect our health.” The study’s authors call for stricter regulation of plastic product manufacturers, with “binding requirements” to make the ingredients transparent and guarantee the safety of their products.
In conclusion, the study highlights the potential health risks associated with plastic products and the need for greater transparency and regulation in the manufacturing process. The findings also underscore the importance of reducing plastic use and finding alternative materials that are safer for human health and the environment.
