Plastics and Human Health: Critical Issues in the Global Treaty Negotiations in Geneva

Plastics are ubiquitous materials that infiltrate our daily lives—and now, they pose significant health risks. As nations gather in Geneva to negotiate a comprehensive global treaty aimed at reducing plastic pollution, health experts and advocates warn of the urgent need to address the harmful impacts of plastics on human health.

Currently, 180 countries are working towards an agreement that could significantly influence plastic production, usage, and disposal worldwide. The proposed treaty includes key provisions such as reducing plastic manufacturing (Article 6), prohibiting hazardous chemicals and products (Article 3), and establishing measures to protect human health (Article 19).

However, the negotiations are complex and contentious. While there is a strong push from environmental and health groups for stringent measures, some countries—particularly those aligned with the petrochemical industry—oppose provisions that would curb plastic production or emphasize health risks. The Like-Minded Group, comprising nations like Saudi Arabia, China, Iran, and Russia, argue that plastics are essential for modern medicine and other vital sectors, thus resisting efforts to regulate or restrict them.

Industry lobbyists have also exerted influence by promoting the narrative that plastics are crucial for health and safety, with some advocating for exemptions for medical plastics from the treaty’s restrictions. These efforts threaten to weaken the treaty’s potential to effectively address the global plastic crisis.

Scientific evidence increasingly links plastics and their chemical additives to serious health issues, including miscarriages, birth defects, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. From extraction of oil to manufacturing, usage, and disposal, every phase of the plastic lifecycle impacts human health, especially vulnerable populations.

Civil society organizations, researchers, and health professionals are mobilizing to ensure the treaty prioritizes health considerations. Initiatives like Health Care Without Harm have called for comprehensive measures to eliminate unnecessary plastics in healthcare settings. Meanwhile, independent experts and advocacy groups emphasize that reducing plastic production at the source is vital.

The outcome of the Geneva negotiations will be pivotal. A strong, health-centered treaty could lead to meaningful reductions in plastic pollution and associated health hazards, while industry resistance risks leaving critical health issues unaddressed. Whether health remains at the core of the treaty depends on the collective will of the international community to prioritize human well-being over industry interests.