Editorial: When it’s not ‘plastic fantastic’

Non-stick pans and bottled water are staples in many Maltese homes. But what if these everyday items contain hidden health risks? What should we do?

A growing body of scientific data from across the world points to the invisible but very real dangers in these everyday items, with evidence linking their use to higher cancer risks, reproductive issues, hormone disruption, immune suppression and chronic illness.

The culprit? Microplastics and nanoplastics; tiny, fragments of plastic, often invisible to the naked eye that are increasingly seen as a rising health concern.

The friction caused by twisting off a plastic bottle cap, or even exposure to water itself, can see tiny fragments of plastic break off, ready to be ingested.

Meanwhile, non-stick pans have also been shown to leach plastics and so-called “forever chemicals” (PFAS) – synthetic compounds that don’t easily break down – when heated or scratched.

Like microplastics, PFAS have been linked to a slew of adverse health conditions, including increased cholesterol, kidney and testicular cancer and pregnancy complications.

And while pollutants are increasingly a feature of our modern, largely synthetic world, there is something sinister about plastics and PFAS: they show up everywhere.

Microplastics and their nano counterparts have been found in blood, brains, lungs and reproductive systems, and even in placenta. ‘Plastic fantastic’, indeed.

And with vast quantities of microplastics eventually ending up in the sea, Malta as an island nation dependent on tourism should have cause for concern – especially when considering the proportionally high levels of pollution already affecting the Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, a landmark 2023 project mapping PFAS discovered high levels of the compounds in water, soils and sediments across Europe and the UK.

So, what can we do about it?

Last month, a parliamentary petition to ban the use of plastic bottles and non-stick cookware was lodged, attracting more than 2,300 signatures.

The petition recommends practical steps to tackle the issue, including a phased ban to lessen the impact on consumers and businesses and promoting safe alternatives such as glass and stainless steel.

It also calls for a national public awareness campaign on the health risks of microplastics and PFAS, a call the government should heed. It is important that we all understand the risks of these compounds and make more conscious purchases.

Other steps could include the long-overdue roll-out of widespread public drinking water fountains to encourage bringing bottles from home (while also helping alleviate summer heatwaves), and, after a transition period, penalties for companies that don’t toe the line.

It could also be time to put more faith in Malta’s tap water, especially following the Water Services Corporation’s insistence last year that tap water is safe to drink, citing improved quality and consistent taste across the country. For those who remain unconvinced, a home water filtration system could prove beneficial.

Customers could also be encouraged to swap out non-stick pans for alternatives such as those made from carbon and stainless steel, ceramics or cast iron.

While things are moving at a European level, with the EU moving to restrict the use of microplastics and PFAS, we should not wait for someone else to help reduce what is essentially a health hazard – especially when considering the bloc’s recent moves to slash regulations and roll back environmental policies.

As a small island nation, we are in a unique position to rapidly effect change, while at the same time boosting Malta’s green and tourism credentials.

Legislation alone will not fix a problem so deeply woven into daily habits and consumer behaviour. Real progress begins with awareness, giving people the knowledge they need to protect themselves.