A new analysis published in the New England Journal of Medicine has raised alarm about the serious risks to human health posed by chemical pollution linked to fossil fuel operations. The data from dozens of studies show a concerning rise in neurodevelopmental issues, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and certain cancers in young people due to the growth of the petrochemical industry.
Rates of certain cancers in individuals under 50 have skyrocketed between 1990 and 2019, a trend that is directly linked to the fifteen-fold increase in fossil fuel use and petrochemical production since the 1950s. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), commonly found in plastics and other products, are identified as a major threat to health, with exposure leading to issues with male and female fertility, fetal development, and hormone regulation.
The analysis estimates that chemical pollution is responsible for at least 1.8 million deaths annually, with people of color and those in disadvantaged communities often bearing the brunt of exposure to harmful chemicals. In light of these findings, the authors of the analysis are calling for stricter safety testing of chemicals, increased tracking of exposures, and bans on single chemicals and single-use plastics to safeguard public health.
As concerns about the health impacts of chemical pollution continue to grow, it is becoming increasingly clear that urgent action is needed to protect human health and the environment from the dangers of unchecked fossil fuel operations and petrochemical production.
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