Toxics link exposed the risks of plastic recycling in India

Toxics link highlight the risks of plastic recycling in India: harmful chemicals in recycled products can pose health hazards.

By Ground report 09 Mar 2024

New Update

Plastic recycling in India raises concerns over human health, study warns

A new study by an environmental group has exposed the risks of plastic recycling in India, where products made from recycled plastic may contain harmful chemicals that affect human health. The study, titled “Is Plastic Recycling Safe?”, was released today by Toxics Link, a Delhi-based organisation that works on environmental issues.

The study tested various products made from recycled plastic, such as food and drink containers and children’s toys, that are sold in local markets. The researchers found that 67% of the products had one or more of the five chemicals they investigated, namely phthalates, chlorinated paraffins, heavy metals, bisphenol A, and nonylphenol. These chemicals can cause various health problems, such as reproductive disorders, respiratory diseases, skin irritation, and DNA damage.

The study also found that 86% of the toys and 67% of the food contact materials had at least one chemical in them. Some of the products had very high levels of chemicals, such as a mouth organ that had 220,000 mg/kg of the DEHP phthalate, which is a known endocrine disruptor. The study also found that some of the products had chemicals that are banned or restricted in other countries, such as cadmium, lead, and chromium.

The study warned that these products are widely used in low-income communities in India, where they pose a serious threat to the health of vulnerable populations, especially children. The study also highlighted the lack of standards and regulations for the production of recycled plastic products in India, which allows for the contamination of plastic with toxic chemicals.

The study’s lead researcher, Priti Banthia Mahesh, Chief Programme Coordinator of Toxics Link, said that the study shows that plastic recycling is not safe and that recycled plastic is not clean. She said that the study provides valuable insights that can help in decision-making and driving positive change in this crucial area.

The study also pointed out the broader issue of chemical pollution in plastic manufacturing and recycling processes. According to a recent technical report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), there are 13,000 chemicals present in plastic, of which 3,200 are chemicals of concern. Mahesh said that not enough is known about the remaining chemicals to categorize them as concerning or not and hence they continue to be used.

The study’s co-author, Satish Sinha, Associate Director of Toxics Link, said that urgent action is needed to address the issue of plastic recycling in India.

He said, “In view of the growing scientific evidence on the presence of highly hazardous and toxic chemicals in recycled products, the recycling of plastic is fraught with serious threat to human health. We must not advocate for indiscriminate recycling of plastic as a strategy for waste minimization,” he said. “Instead, the focus must be on removing toxic chemicals from plastics.”

The report, “Is Plastic Recycling Safe?”, confirms what global groups like IPEN and UNEP have said; that plastic recycling with chemicals is not a good way to deal with the plastic waste crisis. The report shows that plastic recycling in India and other countries needs big changes.