ASBP is pleased to announce the launch of its new interactive report, “Plastics in Construction: Health Risks, Evidence and Alternatives.” Developed by ASBP’s Reducing Plastics in Construction Group, the report explores the growing body of evidence on the impacts of plastics in buildings on human health, while highlighting practical lower-plastic and plastic-free alternatives where these are available.
The report brings together academic research and industry evidence on how exposure to certain plastics, additives and microplastics found in common construction products may affect building occupants. It examines key health themes including indoor air quality, respiratory health, cognitive and neurological impacts, endocrine disruption, immune health and skin-related conditions. The resource also includes product tables outlining plastic content, potential exposure pathways and alternative material options.
Designed to be both accessible and practical, the report provides a valuable resource for organisations across the built environment sector, including designers, specifiers, manufacturers, contractors, clients and policy-makers seeking to better understand plastic-related health risks and identify more health-conscious material choices.
Key findings include:
- Certain plastics and chemical additives commonly found in building products are associated with potential health risks.
- Exposure can occur through inhalation of airborne particles, ingestion of dust and direct skin contact.
- Indoor environments can contain significantly higher levels of microplastics than outdoor environments.
- Evidence links these exposures to respiratory conditions, allergic responses, cognitive and developmental effects, endocrine disruption and immune impacts.
- Infants and children are particularly vulnerable due to higher relative exposure and increased biological sensitivity during development.
- Lower-plastic and plastic-free alternatives are already available for many common applications in construction.
ASBP’s position is one of plastic reduction rather than elimination, recognising that some plastic products currently perform important functions for which viable alternatives do not yet exist. However, the report argues that reducing unnecessary use of plastics with problematic additive profiles is a practical step towards healthier buildings and improved indoor environmental quality.