
The 2019 Plastic Health Summit was such a huge success that we decided to continue it for the next two years. Once again, this event will take place in Amsterdam. Would you like to join us? Then please block the 29th of October 2020 in your agenda! This edition promises to be even more spectacular than last year!
Watch all individual talksPlastic facts
Humans are exposed to microplastics and their additives through ingestion, inhalation and possibly through touching plastics the whole day. Children born now are much more exposed to plastics than earlier generations. Many of the harmful substances we are exposed to (such as flame retardants) accumulate in the body over time.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as BPA, which are commonly found in plastics, are possibly related to an increasing number of disorders, from reproductive and development issues to an increased chance of hormone-related cancers. They have been found in breastmilk, amongst other places. EDCs mimic and disrupt the natural behavior of hormones in the body. Newborn babies and young people are extra vulnerable.
The amount of plastics in the environment increases and plastic fragmentizes into ever smaller particles. Nanoparticles may cross cell membranes and spread through the entire body. Among the expected consequences is behavioral change. The occurrence of nanoplastic particles has been observed in both fish and mammals.
BPA has been found in the blood and urine of almost everybody that has been tested. While BPA might be banned from an increasing number of products, alternative bisphenols belong to the same chemical group and can be expected to be equally harmful to health. Beware of greenwashing! Remember, “BPA free” does not mean EDC free!
Do you want to know if there are plastics or dangerous plastic additives in your drinking water, tea bags, vacuum cleaner bags, meat, furniture, wet wipes, or toothpicks? We sure do! That’s why we’re going to test a wide variety of products over the course of at least three years. All these products and more will be tested in a lab at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) of Amsterdam, under the supervision of Dr. Heather Leslie.
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This video shows us that we all need to go on a plastic diet. By doing so you can reduce the amount of plastic you use. We provide you with the right alternatives to prevent yourself from getting sick because of the toxic chemicals sometimes added to plastics.
Start your plastic diet now