Global plastics boom linked to rising health burden, study warns
A Lancet Planetary Health analysis estimates plastic pollution caused about 2.1 million global disability-adjusted life years in 2016 and could rise to roughly 4.5 million by 2040. Health harms come primarily from upstream plastic production and associated pollution rather than waste alone. The study argues for a cradle-to-grave, system-wide shift—reducing primary production while improving reuse and waste management—and urges stronger government action and industry transparency to curb the plastics health crisis.