How Plastic Food Packaging Impacts Our Health

The chemicals within plastic packaging have a much stronger impact on our bodies than commonly believed.

Science journalist Jessica Belluz from Vox has summarized key studies and expert warnings on this topic.

The Harmful Effects of Polymers and Microplastics on Hormone Function

Nearly everything we consume is sold, stored, or heated in plastic containers. Bottles, food wrap, aluminum can linings, and disposable tableware predominantly use polycarbonate plastics. Some variants contain bioactive chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which can leach into food, especially when heated.

Growing evidence shows these substances pose health risks. For instance, a spring study revealed that over 90% of bottled water from leading global brands is contaminated with microplastics—particles smaller than five millimeters.

Once inside the body, these microplastics disrupt hormonal balance.

They mimic estrogen, interfere with thyroid function, and suppress testosterone activity.

Hormones regulate bodily functions by transmitting signals through the bloodstream to trigger processes within organs. Imagine ingesting substances structurally similar to hormones that act in the same way. This can disturb the delicate internal balance, especially when small doses of plastic-derived chemicals accumulate over years, beginning in childhood.

"Any developing organ or system in a fetus or child can be significantly altered by exposure to plastic chemicals, even at low doses, but detecting these changes is challenging," explains Tom Neltner, Director of Chemical Policy at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). In July 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics urged parents to limit plastic container use and called for urgent regulatory review of these chemicals.

Plastic's Effects on Animals

Researchers study aquatic animals, primates, and rodents to model human diseases. Animal studies consistently show that plastics can harm the body, especially reproductive systems, causing abnormalities in sperm, eggs, and fetal development.

A 2012 Harvard study examined BPA's impact on female reproductive cells in rhesus monkeys by administering BPA through food or implants. This caused disruptions during two critical stages of egg development, leading to reduced fertility.

Hormones and hormone-mimicking plastic particles are part of complex feedback systems in the body.

For example, phthalates and polyvinyl chloride trigger inflammatory responses in mice and may provoke asthma. Plastic exposure has caused sperm development issues in rats and testicular damage in mice and guinea pigs.

However, conclusions based solely on animal studies are limited. Earlier research often used doses vastly exceeding typical human exposure because toxicologists, not endocrinologists, conducted these studies.

"With toxins, higher doses cause stronger effects, but hormones operate differently," explains endocrinologist Frederick Vom Saal from the University of Missouri. "Hormones act at levels as low as one trillionth of a gram." His research found that diethyl phthalate causes adverse effects at doses 25,000 times lower than previously considered dangerous, leading to deformities in male offspring's reproductive tracts.

Additional Impacts of Plastic on Human Health

Not all animal health issues translate directly to humans due to biological differences. Establishing clear cause-effect relationships is challenging; often, scientists can only identify correlations between plastic exposure and health markers.

Another complication is the unclear composition of packaging materials. Many byproducts formed during polymer manufacturing remain untested for safety, making it difficult to isolate effects of individual chemicals.

Nonetheless, researcher Carl-Gustaf Bornehag notes multiple studies linking plastic chemicals to negative health outcomes, supported by cellular and animal experiments.

Fertility and male sexual function, immune health, and risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity are particularly affected.

Plastic chemicals also impact cognitive function. Early-life exposure to BPA is associated with brain development issues and increased risk of childhood wheezing and asthma. Prenatal exposure to phthalates may lower IQ, cause attention deficits, and impair communication skills.

Although many manufacturers now produce plastics free of phthalates and BPA, scientists remain skeptical about the safety of their substitutes, as many share similar harmful properties.

How to Reduce Harmful Exposure

• Choose fresh fruits and vegetables to minimize ingestion of plastic-derived chemicals.
• Avoid heating food in plastic containers.
• Store food in glass or metal containers.
• Steer clear of plasticware labeled with recycling codes 3 (contains phthalates), 6 (styrene), and 7 (bisphenols).

Despite precautions, completely avoiding these chemicals is nearly impossible. BPA is found on cash register receipts and disposable tableware, while phthalates are even more widespread—in medications, supplement coatings, thickeners, lubricants, emulsifiers, medical devices, cleaning products, paints, modeling clay, fabrics, adult toys, liquid soaps, and nail polish.

Substances not directly entering our bodies accumulate in landfills, breaking down into microplastics that absorb harmful compounds, eventually contaminating water and food sources. Nevertheless, any effort to reduce plastic exposure is worthwhile.

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