A major new global study has uncovered a hidden and widespread health crisis: the burning of plastic waste in homes for heating and cooking across the developing world. The research, published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, provides the first broad evidence of a practice far more common than previously understood.
Scale of a Hidden Practice
The international research team surveyed over 1,000 respondents across 26 low and middle-income countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These respondents, who included researchers, government workers, and community leaders familiar with low-income urban areas, revealed startling data.
One in three people reported being aware of households burning plastic, while 16% admitted to burning plastic themselves. This practice is driven by a combination of energy poverty, unreliable waste collection, and growing plastic pollution, turning discarded plastic into a last-resort fuel source.
Severe Health and Environmental Impacts
The consequences of burning household plastic are dire. When burned in confined spaces, plastic releases a cocktail of toxic compounds including dioxins, furans, and heavy metals. Families are directly exposed to these noxious emissions through inhalation and food contamination.
Lead author Dr Bishal Bharadwaj, a research associate at the University of Calgary, stated: "When families can’t afford cleaner fuels and have no reliable waste collection, plastic becomes both a nuisance and a last-resort energy source. We found evidence of people burning everything from plastic bags and wrappers to bottles and packaging."
The study highlights that this is not merely an issue of energy poverty but also an informal coping mechanism for managing plastic waste. Previous research has even identified toxic compounds in egg samples collected near sites where plastic is burned.
An Urgent Call for Global Action
With global plastic waste projected to almost triple by 2060 according to the OECD, the problem is set to intensify. Study co-author Professor Peta Ashworth, Director of the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition, described the situation as a "confluence of issues" including vulnerability, lack of funds for clean fuel, and inadequate waste disposal systems.
The researchers call for immediate, multi-faceted solutions. These must include improving waste management programmes, subsidising access to clean cooking fuels, and launching educational campaigns about the severe hazards of burning plastic. Introducing safer technologies for waste management is also critical.
As rapid urbanisation continues to outpace essential services in many regions, the researchers warn that the urgency of implementing these measures will only grow. This study serves as a crucial first step in filling a critical knowledge gap and shining a light on a pervasive but overlooked global health threat.
