#11: The Hidden Cost of Plastic: What You Need to Know with Dr. Leo Trasande

Guest:
Dr. Leonardo Trasande, Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health at NYU, leading researcher on the health effects of environmental exposures.

Topics Covered:

• What plastics are really made of—and how they get into our bodies

• The 16,000 chemicals in plastic (and how little we know about them)

• Why children are especially vulnerable

• Diseases linked to plastic exposure: from hormone disruption to heart disease

• Why only 9% of plastic is recycled

• The connection between plastic and economic loss ($250B/year in the U.S.)

• Which types of plastics to avoid: the worst offenders

• Practical tips for reducing plastic exposure

• How quickly the body can bounce back

• The power we have as consumers to drive change

• How to advocate for smarter plastic policy

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Resources Mentioned:

• National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Studies on phthalates, PFAS, and micro/nanoplastics

• UN Global Plastics Treaty discussions

• Safe Drinking Water Act

Take Action:

1. Swap plastic for stainless steel, glass, or wood in the kitchen

2. Don’t microwave plastic—even if labeled “microwave safe”

3. Use water filtration where appropriate

4. Avoid receipts, black plastics, and synthetic fabrics directly on skin

5. Advocate for plastic regulation at state and national levels