• Plastic pollution incurs more than $1.5 trillion in annual health-related costs.
• The health impacts of plastics affect individuals from infancy to old age.
• Negotiations for a global treaty against plastic pollution are ongoing in Geneva.

Recent research published in The Lancet highlights that plastic pollution incurs over $1.5 trillion in health-related economic damage every year, with disease and death affecting individuals at all stages of life. The findings emphasize the pressing need for effective policy interventions and regulatory measures to tackle this escalating crisis, akin to those addressing air pollution and lead exposure, according to aa and cbsnews.

The study notes that plastics pose a "grave and growing" threat to public health and the environment, with production increasing significantly from just 2 million metric tons in 1950 to an alarming projected 1.2 billion tons by 2060. This surge is matched by the accumulation of approximately 8 billion tons of plastic waste, most of which remains in ecosystems due to its resistance to biodegradation. The review comes as negotiations for a global treaty resume in Geneva, as delegates from over 170 countries gather to address the issue, according to trtglobal and lemonde.

Experts warn that the environmental and health ramifications of plastic are extensive, linking them to various diseases throughout a person's life. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, with significant economic losses tied to health issues fueled by plastic pollution. The research emphasizes that urgent policy measures are required to mitigate the severe consequences associated with plastic use and waste, highlighting the interconnected nature of the escalating climate and plastic crises, according to cbsnews and trtglobal.