Plastic pollution impacts human health and creates new marine ecosystems

A new international review presented by The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics highlights the escalating crisis of plastic pollution, which affects both the planet and human health. Approximately 50 million tons of plastic waste impact the environment annually. Since 1950, plastic production has increased more than 200-fold, and it is projected to nearly triple by 2060. Currently, over 98% of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, contributing to the release of 2 billion tons of CO2 per year. Global recycling rates remain below 10%, leaving much of the 8 billion tons of existing plastic waste in landfills, oceans, or subject to open-air incineration.

In marine environments, plastic waste is facilitating the emergence of the ‘plastisphere’. This phenomenon involves microorganisms, such as bacteria, cyanobacteria, and microalgae, colonizing plastic fragments to create complex new ecosystems. These artificial habitats allow organisms to grow, feed, and interact, often traveling vast distances via ocean currents. This biological colonization transforms inert waste into active habitats that can transport species across the globe.