[[File:Refuse Recycling site.jpg|thumb|The site where the refuse is being recycled in Ghana]]
Compounds that are used in manufacturing pollute the environment by releasing chemicals into the air and water. Some compounds that are used in plastics, such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BRABPA), polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), are under close statute and might be very harmful. Even though these compounds are unsafe, they have been used in the manufacturing of [[food packaging]], medical devices, flooring materials, bottles, perfumes, cosmetics and much more. Inhalation of microplastics (MPs) have been shown to be one of the major contributors to MP uptake in humans. MPs in the form of dust particles are circulated constantly through ventilation and air conditioning systems indoors.<ref name=":05">{{Cite journal |last1=Kannan |first1=Kurunthachalam |last2=Vimalkumar |first2=Krishnamoorthi |date=2021-08-18 |title=A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens |journal=Frontiers in Endocrinology |volume=12 |page=724989 |doi=10.3389/fendo.2021.724989 |pmid=34484127 |pmc=8416353 |issn=1664-2392|doi-access=free }}</ref> The large dosage of these compounds are hazardous to humans, destroying the endocrine system. BRABPA imitates the female's hormone called estrogen. PBD destroys and causes damage to thyroid hormones, which are vital hormone glands that play a major role in the metabolism, growth and development of the human body. MPs can also have a detrimental effect on male reproductive success. MPs such as BPA can interfere with [[Steroid|steroid biosynthesis]] in the male endocrine system and with early stages of [[spermatogenesis]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal |last1=D'Angelo |first1=Stefania |last2=Meccariello |first2=Rosaria |date=2021-03-01 |title=Microplastics: A Threat for Male Fertility |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |volume=18 |issue=5 |pages=2392 |doi=10.3390/ijerph18052392 |pmid=33804513 |pmc=7967748 |issn=1660-4601|doi-access=free }}</ref> MPs in men can also create [[oxidative stress]] and DNA damage in spermatozoa, causing reduced sperm viability.<ref name=":13" /> Although the level of exposure to these chemicals varies depending on age and geography, most humans experience simultaneous exposure to many of these chemicals. Average levels of daily exposure are below the levels deemed to be unsafe, but more research needs to be done on the effects of low dose exposure on humans. A lot is unknown on how severely humans are physically affected by these chemicals. Some of the chemicals used in plastic production can cause [[dermatitis]] upon contact with human skin. In many plastics, these toxic chemicals are only used in trace amounts, but significant testing is often required to ensure that the toxic elements are contained within the plastic by inert material or polymer. Children and women during their reproduction age are at most at risk and more prone to damaging their immune as well as their reproductive system from these hormone-disrupting chemicals. Pregnancy and nursing products such as baby bottles, pacifiers, and plastic feeding utensils place infants and children at a very high risk of exposure.<ref name=":05" />
Human health has also been negatively impacted by plastic pollution. "Almost a third of groundwater sites in the US contain BPA. BPA is harmful at very low concentrations as it interferes with our hormone and reproductive systems.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 20, 2019|title=Report: Plastic Threatens Human Health at a Global Scale|url=https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2019/2/20/report-plastic-threatens-human-health-at-a-global-scale.|access-date=December 14, 2021|website=Plastic Pollution Coalition}}</ref> This quote tells us how much of a percentage of our water is contaminated and should not be drunk on a daily basis. "At every stage of its lifecycle, plastic poses distinct risks to human health, arising from both exposure to plastic particles themselves and associated chemicals".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ocean Plastics Pollution.|url=http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825233910/http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 August 2012|access-date=17 May 2019|website=Center for Biological Diversity}}</ref> This quote is an intro to numerous points of why plastic is damaging to us, such as the carbon that is released when it is being made and transported which is also related to how plastic pollution harms our environment.
