[elhudy]

Even if there weren’t any studies on the harmful effects of plastic consumption (which I’m fairly certain there are at least theoretical mechanistic studies if you make the effort to look for them), it makes common sense to try to avoid that, no?

I don’t think there are any studies on the effects of regularly drinking gasoline or eating toilet paper either, but plastic, gasoline, and toilet paper consumption aren't exactly time-tested foods that propelled civilization forward.

[throwaway2037]

What a silly reply. Yes, there are many studies about the consumption of hazardous chemicals, including gasoline. There are even many about just the fumes -- no need to regularly drink it.

My point: The "hair on fire" comments about nano plastic still hasn't been borne out by peer-reviewed scientific research. I recall on HN someone mentioned that a recent discover was that tyre dust is a large potion of micro plastics in our world.

[itake]

I am with you on finding the studies that verify these hypotheses, but for newly discovered problems, I think there will not be any long-term impact studies, but we must make a decision today about if this is safe or not.

It doesn't make sense to me that the plastic would be beneficial. It is either neutral or detrimental and I not that no plastic is neutral.

[elhudy]

If youre so certain about your ability to find long term studies on the consumption of micro-pieces of toilet paper or gasoline, then surely you can find one on plastic ;).

Not many have their hair on fire. People just want to make a conscious effort to avoid what common sense says to avoid.