Every year, approximately 11.6 million pounds of plastic waste enter Lake Michigan, which serves as Chicago’s primary source of drinking water.
Despite the city’s ongoing efforts to tackle this pressing issue, studies indicate that microplastics—the smallest fragments of plastic—are escaping filtration systems, ultimately making their way into household faucets.
Research shows that ingesting plastic can lead to harmful effects on cognitive abilities, fertility, and cardiovascular health.
The concern only amplifies as plastic production is projected to triple by 2050, indicating a growing environmental crisis.
At a joint committee meeting held on April 25, stakeholders including scientists and environmental advocates gathered to push for a ban on single-use plastics in Chicago, demonstrating the urgency of the situation.
Gail Prins, co-director of the Chicago Center for Health and Environment at the University of Illinois Chicago, emphasized the necessity of public engagement in the fight against plastic pollution.
“Markets always respond to what the people want,” Prins said. “Without the public voice, they just push us scientists aside. We need the public’s backing.”
Dr. Robert Sargis, an environmental scientist from the same institution, shared insights from his laboratory’s long-time research into environmental toxins, connecting them to serious health issues like obesity, diabetes, and neurocognitive disorders.
“If these chemicals are associated with disorders prevalent in society, our obligation as health care providers is to reduce exposures as best we can,” Sargis stated.
His research has shown that substances leaching from plastics, such as phthalates and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are linked to metabolic and endocrine disorders that can lead to severe health consequences.
Furthermore, exposure to these toxic compounds is correlated with reproductive system alterations, including lower testosterone levels, reduced sperm counts, and infertility.
There is also an increased risk of cancer and symptoms of ADHD associated with these chemicals.
Regrettably, the pollution crisis is worsening. A study published in February 2025 by scientists at the University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center revealed a significant uptick in micro- and nanoplastics in all organs of the participants studied between 2016 and 2024.
Prins highlighted the concerning bioaccumulation of these particles, stating, “The longer we’re exposed to them, the more and more we’re going to have in our bodies.”
The persistence of chemicals like PFAS, often termed “forever chemicals,” adds to the gravity of the situation, as these substances can remain in the human body for years.
Currently, the average person ingests around 250 grams of plastic annually, which equates to consuming a credit card’s worth of plastic every week according to the Plastic Pollution Coalition.
Faced with the reality of toxic plastic particles in our bodies, what steps can the public take to combat this problem?
Gabby Plotkin, senior policy manager at the Illinois Environmental Council, stresses that this issue must be addressed at a systemic level, noting the limitations of municipal filtration systems, which are not designed to eliminate microplastics.
“The only way to do that would be on an individual level, like buying a filter that particularly addresses microplastics,” Plotkin explained.
To implement substantive changes, policymakers must take action.
Sargis also raised the issue of health inequalities exacerbated by plastic pollution, asserting that merely relying on individual action will only benefit those with the means and knowledge to mitigate their exposure.
“Individual action doesn’t address the broader risks to the population,” Sargis argued. “All that does is contribute to anxiety and leave the more vulnerable populations without adequate protection.”
Encouraged by their reception in City Hall, Plotkin, Prins, and Sargis urged residents to minimize personal plastic use while advocating for awareness about the dangers posed by microplastics.
As the city continues to grapple with the plastic pollution crisis, residents await decisive action from their leaders, hoping collective efforts can lead to meaningful change.
image source from：https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/how-can-chicago-help-curb-lake-michigan-microplastic-pollution/3753408/
