Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 23: A new international study has revealed that recycled plastic may pose serious health risks, warning that a single pellet of recycled polyethylene can contain over 80 different chemicals—many of which can leach into water and disrupt hormone function and lipid metabolism.

The findings, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials by researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Leipzig, challenge the prevailing assumption that plastic recycling is a safe and sustainable solution to the global plastic pollution crisis.

In the study, plastic pellets sourced from across the globe were soaked in water for 48 hours. The water was then used to expose zebrafish larvae for five days. Results showed significant increases in gene expression related to lipid metabolism, fat cell development, and hormonal activity—raising concerns about long-term effects on physiology and health.

“These short exposure times alone were enough to alter biological pathways in fish. It’s a clear indicator of the toxicity risk these recycled materials carry,” said lead author Azora Konig Kardgar, an ecotoxicology researcher at the University of Gothenburg.

The broader concern, researchers noted, is the lack of transparency and regulation in plastic recycling. “Plastics contain thousands of chemical additives, many of which are undeclared and potentially hazardous,” said Professor Bethanie Carney Almroth, the principal investigator on the project. “We don’t fully know what chemicals end up in recycled materials, and chemical mixing during recycling can make them even more toxic.”

Earlier studies have shown that exposure to certain plastic additives can disrupt human hormones, affect reproductive health, contribute to obesity, and increase cancer risks.

These revelations come just weeks before the United Nations convenes a final negotiating session in Geneva for a landmark Global Plastics Treaty. The treaty aims to curb plastic pollution and manage its toxic impact on the planet and human health.

With recycling now under renewed scrutiny, scientists urge global leaders to implement stricter controls on plastic production and recycling standards, ensuring public health and environmental safety remain at the forefront of policy discussions.