The Perils of Plastic, Partie Deux

Henri Cartier-Bresson, 1908-2004
Unemployed, Los Angeles, 1947
Black and White Photo, 35mm Format
French Photographer; Considered the Father of Photojournalism

On my way up to New York for the BEA, I came across an interesting, albeit contentious, follow-up article in Time Magazine from May 24th by Tiffany O’Callaghan, titled Cancer, Cancer, Everywhere, that again addresses the malignant health implications of environmental toxins, with the by-products of plastic making the top of their list.

I have to say, however, that my reaction to Ms. O’Callaghan’s article was nothing short of enraged surprised. Although she does suggest that we should “drink filtered water and store all our food in glass containers,” to help decrease our exposure to environmental toxins, the clear tonal intent of the article is to quell the masses into believing that we should just “eat more fruits and vegetables in general,” and that everything will be fine.

Well, everything is not fine. The 240-page report clearly states that “The American people-even before they are born-are bombarded continually with these dangerous exposures.” Not only are nearly all of our foods stored or sold in plastic containers, (“more than 80,000 chemicals are on the U.S. market, of which only a few hundred have been proven safe) the plastic bags we use to carry our foods home and the water bottles we tote around are clogging our oceans. So much so, this plastic is breaking down as it tumbles along into tiny filaments that are then being ingested by fish (the bottom feeders especially) filling them with toxic plastic particulates. This contaminated fish is then purchased by consumers, filling us with carcinogens. Over time, the build up of these toxins can cause everything from auto-immune disorders like celiac disease to life threatening cancer.

This article got my blood boiling as I closed the magazine and tucked it into my purse, the plane touching down. Stunned, I gazed out the window to my left, admiring the strength of the rigid wing and as I did so, I couldn’t help but wonder if Ms. O’Callaghan’s editor sat her down as she was assigned her task, asking her if she had ever inserted a hot needle into balloon, just so she could watch it deflate.