Abstract

The rapid accumulation of plastic waste in the environment poses a significant global challenge, exacerbating 
ecosystem pollution and public health risks. Annually, approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the 
oceans, contributing to ecosystem degradation and human exposure to toxic substances. Toxins such as phtha
lates, bisphenol A (BPA), dioxins, furans, and heavy metal residues released from plastic degradation cause 
severe health risks, including endocrine disruption, carcinogenesis, and respiratory diseases. This study reviews 
exposure pathways and bioaccumulation mechanisms of plastic-derived toxins, their health risks, mitigation 
strategies, and policy interventions. The findings reveal that BPA concentrations in rivers can exceed 12 µg/L, 
and dioxins in soil surpass 1000 ng Toxic Equivalency Quotient (TEQ)/kg in areas with open burning, exceeding 
WHO thresholds. In Poland, landfill leachate shows phthalate levels over 303 µg/L, while heavy metals in fish 
tissue reached over 2.26 ng/g wet weight in Sweden. Vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income 
countries (LMICs), particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, face heightened risk exposure, with 39–45 % of urban 
waste being formally managed. Despite recycling efforts, only 9 % of plastic waste is recycled globally, while 
open burning and inadequate incineration release hazardous pollutants like dioxins and furans. Advanced so
lutions, such as chemical recycling, with recovery rates up to 97 % for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and 
enzymatic degradation, achieving 90 % plastic breakdown in 10 h, show promise but face scalability challenges. 
Case studies from Germany, Japan, and Rwanda demonstrate effective strategies, including extended producer 
responsibility schemes and bans on single-use plastics, achieving recycling rates exceeding 41 % and reducing 
waste by 90 %. However, challenges persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries with inadequate 
waste management infrastructure. This study concludes by recommending stricter regulations, investment in 
advanced recycling technologies, development of bioplastics, and international collaborations to mitigate health 
risks and environmental contamination from plastic waste.