What you need to know children’s exposure to plastics (part 1 of 2) with Chris DeArmitt

Brad

5 hours ago

2 min read

Release date: September 28, 2026

As people who care about kids, we are ripe for exploitation by all sorts of bad actors who use fear to peddle products, sell books, and get clicks. Countering such exploitation with research and science is one of the guiding principles of Taking About Kids, so I listened when Chris DeArmitt – materials scientist; author of Shattering the Plastics Illusion: Exposing Environmental Myths; and Founder of the Plastics Research Council – offered to replace “‘plastic panic’ with evidence-based peace of mind.” I listened, and I read. I read Chris’s research, many of the papers he cites, and the research cited by the scientists and public health officials most worried about plastics. I even interviewed one of the researchers whose work Chris regularly critiques, Imogen Napper. My discussion with Imogen is the second part of this mini-series on plastics. I encourage you to listen to both episodes before drawing any conclusions. I am confident that you will emerge with a healthier understanding of plastics. More information about Chris, his books, and the Plastics Research Council is below.

Biography of Chris DeArmitt

Chris DeArmitt, PhD, FRSC, FIMMM, is widely recognized as a leading independent scientist and global authority on plastics, microplastics, and the environment. A materials scientist with decades of experience, he is a trusted voice separating science from sensationalism for educators, health professionals, journalists, policymakers, and concerned parents. He is the author of The Plastics Paradox and Shattering the Plastic Illusion, offering one of the most comprehensive and accessible evidence based cases for smarter decisions about plastics, recycling, circularity, and sustainability.