Toxic Chemicals in Plastic Products: A Growing Concern in India
India is grappling with a significant public health crisis due to the prevalence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in plastic waste, consumer products, and the environment. These harmful substances, including bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pose a threat to human health by interfering with hormonal systems.
Plastic waste is a major source of EDCs in India, with the country generating approximately 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. A worrying proportion of this waste, around 3.5 million tonnes, is dumped openly, contaminating air, water, and soil. This widespread plastic contamination serves as a reservoir for EDCs, releasing toxic substances into the environment[2].
Micro- and nano-plastics are another concern, with studies in Indian cities like Mumbai showing that residents inhale or ingest between 382 to 2012 microplastic particles daily[2]. Drinking water samples from Delhi, Jabalpur, and Chennai have shown phthalate concentrations exceeding European Union safety limits[2].
EDCs are also found in consumer products, with a 2025 report revealing that over one-third of tested Indian clothing products contained nonylphenol (NP), a known endocrine disruptor, detected in 15 out of 40 products examined[1].
The health impacts of EDCs are far-reaching. Exposure to BPA and phthalates has been linked to reproductive health issues, including decreased testosterone levels, altered luteinizing hormone levels, and a 30% decline in average sperm count over 20 years in Indian men[2]. In women, EDCs disrupt estradiol levels and menstrual cycles, and are linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and increased miscarriage risk[2].
Furthermore, many plastic additives are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as probable carcinogens. Indian women with high levels of DEHP, a phthalate, face a threefold higher risk of breast cancer. Associations also exist with prostate, uterine, and testicular cancers[2].
EDCs also contribute to metabolic and endocrine disorders, mimicking cortisol and disrupting insulin resistance, leading to obesity. PFAS have been linked to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and thyroid dysfunction[2].
Neurological effects are another concern, although specific data in India is limited. Globally, endocrine disruptor contamination is linked to neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders[5].
Marginalized populations in India are often more exposed to these contaminants due to environmental and occupational factors, exacerbating health disparities[2].
The government's initiatives to address the problem include expanding ICMR biomonitoring, aligning GST and PLI for a circular economy, upgrading urban water infrastructure, and implementing behaviour change communication campaigns. However, the urgent need for effective regulatory measures and public health interventions to reduce exposure and mitigate impacts is clear[2].
References: [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720314726 [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-16915-4 [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7423318/ [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6973023/
- The environment in India is significantly impacted by the 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually, a large portion of which is openly dumped, polluting air, water, and soil.
- This plastic waste acts as a reservoir for endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), releasing harmful substances into the environment.
- Apart from plastic waste, EDCs are also found in consumer products, with some Indian clothing products containing nonylphenol (NP), a known endocrine disruptor.
- Exposure to EDCs, such as BPA and phthalates, poses a threat to human health by interfering with hormonal systems, leading to reproductive health issues in both men and women.
- Indian women with high levels of DEHP, a phthalate, face a threefold higher risk of breast cancer, while associations exist with prostate, uterine, and testicular cancers as well.
- EDCs also contribute to metabolic and endocrine disorders, leading to obesity and linking to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and thyroid dysfunction.
- Neurological effects are another concern, with global studies linking endocrine disruptor contamination to neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Marginalized populations in India are often more exposed to these contaminants due to environmental and occupational factors, exacerbating health disparities.
- To address this problem, the Indian government has initiated efforts such as expanding biomonitoring, aligning GST and PLI for a circular economy, upgrading urban water infrastructure, and implementing behavior change communication campaigns, while the need for effective regulatory measures and public health interventions remains urgent.
