The Lifecycle of Plastics: A Global Threat to Women’s Health

On 30 January 2025, at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting in the United States, a study revealed that microplastics and nanoplastics were found in high concentrations in the placentae of infants born prematurely (1). Moreover, in humans, the presence of micro/nanoplastics in infant feces and breast milk has been reported before. This human’s exposure to plastic before birth is a matter of great concern, particularly for women. As our land, air, and water are clogged with plastics, it poses an immense threat not only to nature but also to humans. According to scientists and researchers, despite the adverse effects of plastic pollution throughout its life cycle, in nature and on women’s health, little attention has been paid to the potential health impacts on women. In addition to this, most importantly, women workers in the plastics industry are more vulnerable to the plastic exposures, placing them at a disproportionately higher health risk compared to their male counterparts (2). The immense threat of plastic pollution on women’s health is closely associated with the components of nature. Findings unveils due to the contamination of plastic in our water, air and food, women are facing double burden of the environmental plastic pollution.

Introduction

From the deepest oceans to the air we breathe, from beneath our soil to our homes, plastic has found its way into every corner of the Earth, partly due to industrialization, but mostly because of our overwhelming consumption. Once, hailed as a revolutionary invention of the twentieth century, because of its availability and affordability in every aspect of our daily lives, ranging from household items to industry applications.  However, currently, due to its adverse effects on nature and human health, plastic is recognized as a global threat. We all know, plastic is a lightweight, durable, and less expensive daily usable commodity. But how many people are aware that plastics are made from the extraction and refining of fossil fuels? Each year, plastics are responsible for around 3.4% of greenhouse gas emissions (OECD, 2022). The impact of plastics spans throughout their life cycle, from their rapid production of plastics and their reliance on fossil fuels, to the mountain of waste piling up in landfills and oceans.

Currently, plastic pollution has rightfully become a mainstream environmental concern. But, despite multiple studies' findings suggesting that the presence of plastics has a detrimental effect on women’s reproductive health. The crucial question remains how much attention has been paid to its immense threat to women, particularly to women’s health? 

The Omnipresence of Plastics in Our Lives

Whenever we think about plastics, we can feel the inevitable need in our daily lives, from fashion to food, from electronics to healthcare. Data shows that 40% of the global plastic production is used by the packaging industry, and households consume about 20%. However, the excessive use of plastic leads to environmental plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is caused mainly by the widespread use of single-use plastics, which stay in the environment for centuries. The difficulty of the disposal of plastic waste results in plastic waste without decay persistently existing in nature, which eventually finds its way into streams, rivers, and ultimately, the ocean.  Much of the plastic waste remains in coastal waters, but the ocean tides spread the plastic pollution around the world. 

Microplastics and nanoplastics originate from the breakdown of large plastic debris, industrial products, also from women’s personal care products like cosmetics. MPs are less than 5 millimeters in size, while nanoplastics are even smaller, less than 100 nanometers. Therefore, these particles can easily make their way into a human’s body, especially women. As these particles are not only rendering the natural ecosystem in danger also, by entering women’s bodies, have caused potential consequences to the overall health. Firstly, how are human beings exposed to macro/nanoplastics? Human beings are usually exposed to macro/nanoplastics through plastic-contaminated water or air by inhalation, ingestion (EV). In addition to this, according to Zurub et al. (2024), “An individual will be exposed to approximately 74,000-121,000 Microplastics per year, with ingestion and inhalation” However, the largest proportion of micro/nanoplastics is generated from the laundering of textiles with mixed synthetic fibers, which makes women most vulnerable to plastic pollution.

Scientists find that each year, fish in the North Pacific Ocean ingest up to 24,000 tons of plastic. When people consume fish from the local market, indirectly, these plastics may pass into the human digestive system. The omnipresent character of plastics from homes to the ocean, between production and disposal, across their life course, has adverse effects on women. Let’s explore the impact of plastics (micro/nanoplastics) on women’s health with reference to different research across the world.

The Life Cycle of Plastics, from Production to Dumping in the Coastal Water: Unraveling Their Impact on Women’s Health

• Evidence of Disproportionate Health Risks to Women in the Plastic Production Industry

Research conducted by the National Network on Environment and Women’s Health, York University and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation demonstrates that the heavily contaminated work environment, exposed to dust, fumes, and chemicals used in plastic production, rendering women workers in the plastics industry to be more likely to develop breast cancer and experiencing reproductive problems at elevated rates.

• High Concentrations of Plastics in Infant Placentae: Crucial Health Threat towards Pregnant Women

At the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) in the United States, a study revealed that micro/nanoplastics were found in high concentrations in the placentae of infants born prematurely compared to those who were born at term. The shocking finding unveils that the accumulation of plastics in the placenta during pregnancy was associated with the risk of preterm delivery, posing a serious reproductive health risk for women.

• Health Impacts on the Vulnerable Coastal Communities, particularly Children and Women

A case study, analyzing the effect of Plastic pollution in the coastal areas of Bangladesh and India, found that seafood in the local market was contaminated with microplastics, which might cause digestive problems, liver damage. Long-term consumption of seafood may lead to intestinal blockage and malnutrition. Moreover, women in the coastal areas have a livelihood by picking plastic waste, and also engage in burning plastic waste to dispose of it. The harmful chemicals released from the burning cause respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis in women.

Discussion on Plastic Pollution: A Global Perspective

Women around the world face the dual burden of plastic pollution at home and work, due to both the social and biological roles they play. Socially, women’s role at home engages them in contact with more plastic products as well as managing the plastic waste. On the other hand, biologically, women are more vulnerable to chemical exposure during pregnancy, according to research.

According to a recent CNN report published on 18th June, 2025, a study found that people who lived near the highly plastic-polluted waters had an 18% higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes, 9% higher risk of stroke, and a 7 % higher risk of coronary artery diseases. Another study shows that living close to coastal areas, reliance on marine resources, and inadequate knowledge regarding plastic waste management, Bangladeshi and Indian people more vulnerable to the adverse effects of plastic pollution (6) Despite the unavailability of gender specific data, various global reports state that women living in coastal areas are more vulnerable compared to those who live outside.

Finally, the lifecycle of plastic poses a global threat around the world, and the existing findings showcase the urgent need for international bodies to come forward and collaborate with the global industrial organizations to engage in talks on the Global Plastic Treaty. The writing aims to identify the negative effects of plastic as it coexists with nature, particularly highlighting the adverse effects on women’s health. Despite ongoing global studies on the impact of plastics on nature and human health, awareness among the global leaders has yet to rise.