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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Reducing pediatric healthcare plastic pollution: Call to action
ClearPlastic particles in medicine: A systematic review of exposure and effects to human health
Medical plastics including bags, containers, and administration sets release micro- and nanoplastics along with chemical additives that can interact with pharmaceutical constituents, creating an understudied route of direct human exposure. Both primary exposure (during medical treatment) and secondary environmental exposure (from hospital plastic waste disposal) represent potential health hazards.
Inquinamento da microplastiche e salute: cosa ne sappiamo e cosa può fare il pediatra
This Italian-language review for pediatricians outlines how microplastics have been detected in human organs and tissues throughout the body, discusses the potential but still unclear health consequences, and calls on pediatric clinicians to reduce plastic use in clinical settings and advise families on limiting plastic exposure.
Medical exposure to micro(nano)plastics: An exposure pathway with potentially significant harm to human health that should not be overlooked.
This paper identifies medical procedures — including intravenous infusions, dialysis, and surgical implants — as an underrecognized pathway for direct human exposure to micro- and nano-plastics. The authors argue that the medical community needs to assess and reduce plastic particle exposure from clinical materials and devices.
Single‐use materials and poorly recycled waste in intensive care: An argument for improving sustainability
This article argues for improving sustainability in intensive care units by addressing the environmental impact of single-use plastics, paper, and other materials commonly used in clinical settings. The authors highlight that ICU waste is energy-intensive to produce and difficult to recycle, contributing significantly to healthcare's carbon footprint. The study calls for rethinking material choices and waste management practices in critical care to reduce plastic pollution and environmental harm.
Plastic Pollution and Child Health: A Narrative Review of Micro- and Nanoplastics, Additives, and Developmental Risks
This narrative review examines the health risks that micro- and nanoplastics and plastic additives pose specifically to children, who are considered the most vulnerable population due to their developing bodies and higher exposure rates relative to body weight. Researchers found that exposure begins in the womb, with plastic particles detected in placental tissue, amniotic fluid, and cord blood. Evidence suggests potential adverse effects on children's development, including altered puberty, respiratory conditions, neurodevelopmental impacts, and metabolic disorders, though the authors note that more research is needed.
Plastic pollution: why is it a public health problem?
This commentary argues that plastic pollution is a public health problem due to the widespread human exposure to microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals, calling for regulatory action to address the full lifecycle of plastics including production, use, and disposal.
Microplastics in the surgical environment
Researchers quantified and characterized airborne microplastics in a hospital operating theatre and adjoining anaesthetic room over a one-week period. They found an average of 1,924 microplastic particles per cubic meter per day in the theatre during working hours, dominated by polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene fragments. The study provides novel data on microplastic exposure in surgical environments where single-use plastics are widely used, and no microplastics were detected during non-working hours.
Microplastic and human health with focus on pediatric well-being: a comprehensive review and call for future studies
This review focuses on how microplastics affect children specifically, from infancy through adolescence, finding that infant formula, plastic toys, food packaging, and contaminated water and air are all significant exposure sources. The particles can cause cell damage and have been linked to potential health risks including cancer, highlighting that children may be especially vulnerable because of their developing bodies and higher relative exposure.
Infection prevention and control programme priorities for sustainable health and environmental systems
Researchers highlight a paradox in healthcare: infection prevention programs that protect patients and workers from disease also generate significant plastic waste and environmental harm. Addressing this trade-off is essential for building health systems that are both safe and truly sustainable.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in healthcare: environmental persistence, health implications, and professional awareness
This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics have infiltrated ecosystems, food, water, and even human tissues, with particular focus on their relevance to healthcare settings — especially dentistry and orthodontics — where extensive plastic use generates microplastic debris from single-use items and clear aligners.
Evaluating the Environmental and Health Impacts of Disposable Plastics: Toward Sustainable Material Alternatives
This review examined the environmental and health impacts of disposable plastics and explored sustainable alternatives, drawing on secondary literature across environmental science and health disciplines. The paper assessed plastic waste contributions to ocean pollution and proposed strategies to mitigate these challenges.
A Children’s Health Perspective on Nano- and Microplastics
This paper highlighted that children face unique risks from nano- and microplastic exposure because their defense mechanisms are still developing, yet almost no toxicological research has specifically focused on child health. Researchers noted that child-specific exposure sources and how plastic particles are absorbed and eliminated in young bodies remain largely unstudied. The study provides recommendations for filling these research gaps and suggests ways families can reduce early-life plastic exposure.
Innovative One-Health Assessment of Microplastic Exposure in Healthcare Workers: Quantifying Risk across Occupational, Environmental, and Dietary Pathways
This One-Health study assessed microplastic exposure in healthcare workers, measuring plastic particles in occupational environments and biological samples to evaluate workplace-specific exposure routes and potential health implications.
How Should US Health Care Lead Global Change in Plastic Waste Disposal?
This article argues that US health care must lead global change in plastic waste disposal by assigning accountability to organizational leaders, implementing circular supply chains, and collaborating across medical and waste industries to reduce environmental harm.
Time to Safeguard the Future Generations from the Omnipresent Microplastics
This review highlighted that children face disproportionate microplastic exposure through breast milk, infant formula, crawling on contaminated floors, and mouthing plastic toys, and that their developing organ systems may be more vulnerable to microplastic-induced toxicity than adults, calling for child-specific exposure assessments and protective standards.
What Health Concerns Could Micro and Nanoplastics Pose for Infants? A Review
Microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in human placentas, meconium, and infant faeces, meaning babies can be exposed before and immediately after birth. This review examines what these early-life exposures might mean for infant health and development, and discusses broader policy responses to reduce plastic overproduction as the most direct route to protecting future generations.
Discovery of microplastics and nanoplastics in pediatric myocardium and blood
Researchers detected microplastics and nanoplastics in the heart tissue and blood of 27 pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, with polyethylene found in 100 percent of myocardial samples. Newborns had the highest concentrations of plastic particles in their heart tissue, and matching plastic types were found in mothers' placentas and umbilical cord blood, suggesting prenatal transfer. The study provides the first evidence that micro- and nanoplastics are present in children's cardiac tissue, raising concerns about early-life exposure.
Lutte contre les microplastiques : un objectif de santé publique pour les médecins généralistes ?
This French-language article argues that microplastic pollution should be recognized as a public health concern by general practitioners. With plastic production projected to triple by 2050, the authors urge clinicians to engage more actively in monitoring and communicating potential health risks to patients.
Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste: Strategies for Sustainable Management
This systematic review summarizes the environmental and health impacts of plastic waste and evaluates strategies for sustainable management. It highlights that plastic pollution threatens ecosystems and human health through microplastic contamination, and examines approaches like recycling, biodegradable alternatives, and policy interventions to reduce exposure.
Plastic Pollution and Its Effects on Human Health
This review examined how plastics enter the environment through poor disposal and fragmentation, then infiltrate food chains and human bodies via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The authors summarized health risks from both microplastic particles and their associated chemical additives, calling for stronger global policy responses.
Plastic Pollution and Its Effects on Human Health
This review examined how plastics enter the environment through poor disposal and fragmentation, then infiltrate food chains and human bodies via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The authors summarized health risks from both microplastic particles and their associated chemical additives, calling for stronger global policy responses.
Plastic Pollution and Its Effects on Human Health
This review examined how plastics enter the environment through poor disposal and fragmentation, then infiltrate food chains and human bodies via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The authors summarized health risks from both microplastic particles and their associated chemical additives, calling for stronger global policy responses.
Our Plastic Planet is Hurting Humanity`s Health. Is there a Solution?
This commentary examines the global health impacts of plastic pollution and explores potential solutions ranging from individual behavior change to policy interventions and material innovation. The author argues that the scale of the problem demands coordinated action across governments, industries, and communities.
Plastic Pollution and Its Effects on Human Health
This review examined how plastics enter the environment through poor disposal and fragmentation, then infiltrate food chains and human bodies via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The authors summarized health risks from both microplastic particles and their associated chemical additives, calling for stronger global policy responses.