The paradox of plastic in health care is real, but it is not insurmountable.
Children today are growing up in a world saturated with plastic, and it’s putting their health at serious risk.
While plastic is often seen as a symbol of modern convenience and medical advancement, it also harbors hidden dangers that we can no longer afford to ignore. We rely on plastics in the tools and treatments we use, yet the very same materials contribute to chronic diseases and developmental harm in the children we are trying to protect.
Mounting scientific evidence from both laboratory and human studies makes it clear: the chemicals used in the production of plastics are harming children’s health. These substances, many of which are known to interfere with the body’s hormone systems, have been linked to a range of serious outcomes, ranging from adverse birth outcomes and metabolic conditions to neurodevelopmental disorders, disabilities and reproductive health issues.
This is not an abstract or distant threat. It is urgent and immediate.
Children are especially vulnerable. Their bodies are still developing, and their organ systems are immature. They eat, drink and breathe more per pound of body weight than adults, increasing their exposure to environmental toxins. And the consequences of even low-level exposures during critical windows of development can last a lifetime.
Yet despite this reality, plastic continues to proliferate within homes, schools, playgrounds and, yes, even in the very health-care systems meant to support children’s wellbeing. For child health providers, this is a call to action.
Fortunately, we are not powerless. Evidence-based, low-cost and practical steps exist to help families limit their children’s exposure to plastic-derived toxins. In primary care settings, providers can offer simple guidance: avoid heating food in plastic containers, reduce the use of plastic-packaged foods and choose alternatives made from safer materials whenever possible. These are small changes, but they can make a significant difference.
However, personal action alone will never be enough. The scale of this crisis demands systemic change, and health-care professionals are uniquely positioned to help lead it. We must use our voices and our expertise to advocate for policies that reduce the production and accumulation of plastics in the environment. We must call on governments to regulate the chemicals used in plastic manufacturing, push industries to adopt safer alternatives and work within our own health systems to reduce reliance on plastic wherever possible.
This is not just an environmental issue; it is a child health emergency.
By standing up for stronger protections and more responsible practices, health-care providers can help shift the narrative and the policy landscape around plastic use. We can protect not only the children in our exam rooms today, but also generations of children yet to come.
The paradox of plastic in health care is real, but it is not insurmountable. With clear evidence, practical solutions and the will to act, we can confront this threat head-on. The health of our children, and their future, depends on it.
Simi Garewal writers about the cultural and economic developments of South Asia as well as the global trend of climate change. She is a member of Global Affairs Writers’ Association.
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