GENEVA — While the world’s attention has focused on plastic waste polluting oceans, a new report and on-the-ground accounts reveal a hidden crisis: communities living near petrochemical plants are paying a heavy health and environmental price for plastic convenience. The findings emerge as global negotiations for a binding plastics treaty ended without consensus on capping production.
A Shared Struggle from Texas to Gujarat
The human cost of plastic production is evident in communities thousands of miles apart. In Houston, Texas, a resident named Yvette Arellano suffers from frequent nosebleeds, hormonal imbalances, and skin conditions linked to living near the petrochemical complex. She is not alone, as a 2024 Amnesty International report found a range of health issues, including headaches, fatigue, and even chronic diseases like cancer, associated with the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants released in the area.
A similar story is unfolding in Lakhigam village near Dahej, Gujarat, India. A 2024 survey revealed that in a population of 5,000, respiratory illnesses and skin issues were common, and at least 50 cases of cancer were identified. An open-air conveyor belt and refinery pollution are blamed for blanketing the village in soot and foul smells.
The Production-Pollution Link
The article highlights that almost 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels, a reality that is becoming increasingly important for the fossil fuel industry as the world shifts toward renewable energy. Plastic manufacturing accounts for approximately 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure projected to rise to 4.5% by 2060. The process of heating crude oil and refining it into polymers releases toxic chemicals into the environment, burdening nearby communities.
In India, traditional livelihoods like fishing and agriculture are also at risk. In Dahej and Jamnagar, the release of highly saline effluents and other chemical pollutants from refineries has killed fish species, contaminated groundwater, and made land infertile. Local health experts are reportedly hesitant to speak out against the health impacts for fear of corporate retaliation. Global studies back these local concerns, showing a 30% higher risk of leukemia for people living near petrochemical industries.
Treaty Talks Fail to Cap Production
At the recent Global Plastic Treaty talks in Geneva, negotiations for a legally binding agreement failed to reach a consensus, primarily over disagreements on capping plastic production. Oil and petrochemical-rich nations like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kuwait, Iran, and India opposed a production cap, with the United States reportedly urging other countries to reject such a measure.
“We can’t mop while the tap is on,” said Dharmesh Shah, a campaigner with the Centre for International Environmental Law. He argues that regulating production is crucial for achieving climate goals, as a continued increase in plastic manufacturing could consume up to one-third of the world’s remaining carbon budget for a 1.5°C temperature increase. The report indicates a significant number of fossil fuel lobbyists were present at the conference, highlighting a potential conflict of interest.