The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Environmental pollution and human health – how worried should we be?

  • Written by Oliver A.H. Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University

If not the root of all evil, chemical pollution is surely responsible for a good chunk of it. At least, that’s how it feels sometimes when reading the news and the latest research.

From hormone disruptors in our rivers[1] and drugs in our drinking water[2], to PFAS[3] and microplastics[4] just about everywhere, it seems there’s plenty to worry about.

The list of potential health effects is also scary. Pollution is linked to infertility[5], cancer[6], reduced immune function[7], and more.

So it’s not surprising many people feel chemicals are intrinsically bad, though that’s not the case[8]. But how worried should we really be, and can we reduce the risks?

In the air we breathe

Globally, pollution is a serious problem – particularly air pollution.

A digital dashboard showing various air quality measurements
Portable air monitors can measure air quality in real time. These readings were taken at Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station in July 2024. Oliver Jones

The Lancet Commission on pollution and health[9] estimates pollution is responsible for about 9 million deaths a year[10] and economic losses in the trillions of dollars.

The burden of disease falls heavily on developing countries, but even in Australia air pollution causes significant harm[11].

Fortunately, we can monitor air pollution[12], even at home. We know what levels are dangerous, and how to reduce exposure[13]. But what about things we can’t monitor, or know less about?

The water we drink

In June, the Sydney Morning Herald implied[14] tap water throughout Australia was contaminated with alarming levels of PFAS. But the levels detected fall within Australia’s drinking water guidelines. They just happen to exceed the United States’ new safety thresholds, which don’t come in for five years[15].

Chemical structures of two PFAS molecules Chemical structures of PFOS and PFOA, two types of PFAS. Oliver Jones

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of highly persistent chemicals characterised by carbon-fluorine bonds.

Although PFAS in your water sounds awful, we don’t know if water is the main route of exposure or what the actual risks are.

PFAS is also in dust[16], cookware[17], waterproof clothing[18], cosmetics[19], and other consumer products[20].

The presence of PFAS is an emotive subject, thanks to films such as Dark Waters[21] and documentaries like How to Poison a Planet[22].

Found everywhere from Mount Everest[23] to the ocean depths[24], PFAS have been associated with negative health effects including cancer[25] and reduced immune response[26].

What is generally missing from both research papers and news reports is context – details on the dose and duration of exposure needed to cause such effects.

The levels of PFAS needed to cause health effects tend to be orders of magnitude higher[27] than those typically found in the environment. So while it’s not great that we’ve polluted the entire planet with these compounds, the health risks for most of us are likely to be low[28].

New technologies are being developed to reduce PFAS[29] in water and soil[30].

But given their widespread distribution and extreme persistence[31], we should perhaps reevaluate PFAS risks and regulations (as the National Health and Medical Research Council is doing[32]).

If you want to reduce your exposure[33], you can consider using water filters[34] and avoid non-stick pans and other products that contain PFAS.

Many non-stick pans now boast they are PFAS-free. Sadly this is not always the case[35]. Ceramic pans can be a good, PFAS-free option, but these are actually silica-based and may not last as long[36].

And the food we eat

Everyone knows pesticides give you cancer[37] right? Well, actually no. This is another area where public perception has jumped ahead of the science[38].

An orange plastic container that used to hold pesticides on grass Discarded pesticide container in Werribee, Victoria. Oliver Jones

The usual suspect, glyphosate, is usually claimed to cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma. But this is a catch-all term covering more than 60 different types[39] of lymphoma, which can vary significantly.

Multiple independent regulatory agencies worldwide list glyphosate as non-carcinogenic[40]. A study of more than 54,000 people who applied pesticides for a living found no link to cancer[41].

Small amounts of pesticide residue are permitted on our food, but concentrations are in the parts per trillion (for reference, a trillion seconds is 31,710 years).

The evidence suggests parts per trillion of pesticides do not increase the risk[42] of cancer in people. But if you want to reduce your exposure anyway, washing[43] and cooking vegetables and washing fruit is a good way to go.

Microplastics are everywhere

Microplastics (plastic particles less than 5mm in diameter) are now found everywhere from the top[44] to the bottom[45] of the planet.

They have been reported in food and drink, including salt[46], seafood[47], various meats and plant-based proteins[48], fruit and vegetables[49] as well as bottled[50] and tap water[51].

Again, it sounds scary – but several reports of microplastics in food and blood have been firmly[52] criticised[53] by other scientists. The widely (mis)reported claim that we eat a credit card’s worth of microplastic each week was debunked by YouTuber Hank Green[54].

The World Health Organization recently concluded evidence of the health effects of microplastics is insufficient[55]. However, they also make the point that this is not the same as saying microplastics are safe. We need more data to understand the risks[56].

Avoiding plastic bottles and food packaging can reduce exposure, as can having hard floors rather than carpets, and regular vacuuming[57].

We need new recycling technology[58] to reduce plastic waste. Ultimately, we may need to wean ourselves off plastic entirely.

Where to from here?

I am not suggesting we should not worry about pollution – we should. But just because something is present does not automatically mean it is causing harm. To my mind, air pollution is the biggest worry so far, with more proven health effects than microplastics or PFAS.

Scary headlines generate clicks, views and likes but they rarely reflect the science[59].

We must understand relative exposure and the nuances of risk assessment. We need sensible debate, evidence-based approaches and new techniques for monitoring and assessing the impacts of, low (parts per trillion) pollutant concentrations.

This should help prevent and mitigate potentially harmful exposures in future.

References

  1. ^ hormone disruptors in our rivers (www.sciencedirect.com)
  2. ^ drugs in our drinking water (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  3. ^ PFAS (www.nature.com)
  4. ^ microplastics (journals.plos.org)
  5. ^ infertility (academic.oup.com)
  6. ^ cancer (academic.oup.com)
  7. ^ reduced immune function (www.nature.com)
  8. ^ though that’s not the case (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ Lancet Commission on pollution and health (www.thelancet.com)
  10. ^ 9 million deaths a year (www.thelancet.com)
  11. ^ harm (www.aihw.gov.au)
  12. ^ monitor air pollution (www.epa.vic.gov.au)
  13. ^ how to reduce exposure (www.health.nsw.gov.au)
  14. ^ implied (www.smh.com.au)
  15. ^ five years (whyy.org)
  16. ^ dust (pubs.acs.org)
  17. ^ cookware (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  18. ^ waterproof clothing (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  19. ^ cosmetics (pubs.acs.org)
  20. ^ consumer products (www.sciencedirect.com)
  21. ^ Dark Waters (slate.com)
  22. ^ How to Poison a Planet (www.youtube.com)
  23. ^ Mount Everest (www.sciencedirect.com)
  24. ^ ocean depths (pubs.acs.org)
  25. ^ cancer (www.thelancet.com)
  26. ^ reduced immune response (link.springer.com)
  27. ^ orders of magnitude higher (www.sciencedirect.com)
  28. ^ likely to be low (www.health.gov.au)
  29. ^ reduce PFAS (cen.acs.org)
  30. ^ soil (link.springer.com)
  31. ^ extreme persistence (pubs.acs.org)
  32. ^ National Health and Medical Research Council is doing (www.nhmrc.gov.au)
  33. ^ reduce your exposure (www.epa.gov)
  34. ^ water filters (theconversation.com)
  35. ^ not always the case (www.consumerreports.org)
  36. ^ actually silica-based and may not last as long (www.sciencedirect.com)
  37. ^ give you cancer (www.abc.net.au)
  38. ^ has jumped ahead of the science (www.reuters.com)
  39. ^ 60 different types (www.cancer.org.au)
  40. ^ list glyphosate as non-carcinogenic (geneticliteracyproject.org)
  41. ^ no link to cancer (academic.oup.com)
  42. ^ do not increase the risk (www.theguardian.com)
  43. ^ washing (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  44. ^ top (www.sciencedirect.com)
  45. ^ bottom (www.frontiersin.org)
  46. ^ salt (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  47. ^ seafood (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  48. ^ meats and plant-based proteins (www.sciencedirect.com)
  49. ^ fruit and vegetables (www.sciencedirect.com)
  50. ^ bottled (www.frontiersin.org)
  51. ^ tap water (www.sciencedirect.com)
  52. ^ firmly (zenodo.org)
  53. ^ criticised (www.sciencedirect.com)
  54. ^ Hank Green (youtu.be)
  55. ^ insufficient (www.who.int)
  56. ^ understand the risks (theconversation.com)
  57. ^ hard floors rather than carpets, and regular vacuuming (www.sciencedirect.com)
  58. ^ new recycling technology (www.newscientist.com)
  59. ^ they rarely reflect the science (www.abc.net.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/environmental-pollution-and-human-health-how-worried-should-we-be-233819

The Times Features

Why Regional Small Businesses in Bendigo Deserve Better Access to Finance in 2025

In the heart of regional Victoria, Bendigo has long stood as a beacon of innovation, resilience and community spirit. As we step further into 2025, the importance of nurturing sm...

Is It Time for a Deep Cleaning? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most people know they should visit the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning every six months. But sometimes, a standard cleaning isn’t enough. When plaque and tartar build...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for...

Annual Health Exams in the Office: How They Can Reduce Sick Days and Healthcare Costs

Regular health check-ups, especially annual health exams in the office, can significantly impact the overall well-being of your workforce. A proactive approach to employee health...

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping