Take the Earth Day Pledge to Purge Plastic

FBW | March 31, 2026

Most conventional plastics endure for hundreds or thousands of years. They do not biodegrade; instead, they break down into smaller and smaller particles, eventually becoming microplastics and nanoplastics. These microscopic fragments contaminate our waterways, soil, air, and oceans — even in remote, isolated regions of the planet.

Microplastics and nanoplastics have also found their way into our bodies — in our brain, liver, kidneys, intestines, blood, and fat tissue. They have even been found in human placenta and breast milk. They are linked to potential health issues such as chronic inflammation, cell damage, oxidative stress, and impaired immune system function. Emerging research suggests connections to cardiovascular disease, reproductive issues, and certain cancers.

The greatest risk may be posed by the chemicals added to plastics. Phthalates are used to make plastic flexible. Bisphenol A (BPA) is added to harden plastic products. PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” are used during manufacturing and to add water-resistant properties to certain plastic materials.

Phthalates, bisphenols, and PFAS are all known endocrine disruptors — chemicals that interfere with hormones. Dr. Shanna Swan, a reproductive epidemiologist and Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explores these pernicious problems in the new Netflix documentary The Plastic Detox.

The film cites a 2017 study, which revealed that sperm counts among men in Western countries declined by 52% between 1973 and 2011. A 2022 meta‑analysis found similar declines in Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. The Plastic Detox follows six couples struggling with infertility, who, after many months — some as long as 10 years — have been unable to conceive. Dr. Swan tested their levels of plastic-related chemicals, and for the men, their sperm counts at the beginning, middle, and end of a three-month period. At the beginning, she guided the couples on a concerted effort to purge plastic from their lives, following many of the suggestions that follow below.

This is a must-watch film. You will learn about the devastating impact that plastic has on our lives and on the environment. By the emotional end of the film, you will learn there is reason for hope and reason for all of us to take action.

Granted, the six couples provided a small sample, but Dr. Swan is using this pilot project to apply for a grant to conduct a larger, scientific study that will hopefully verify the results portrayed in the film.