I'm not discounting the role plastic has played, I grew up when Teflon was used on everything, even the living room couch. Plastic was the miricle do all material and it was cheap. And it was perfect for the "disposable" generation who liked to throw everything away instead of dealing with it (looking at you Mom and Dad).

Living in a large city that has tripled in population since my youth and I can promise you pollution has gotten worse in the last couple decades. Unless you're lucky enough to live in a rural area, pollution is taking its toll on your body as well.

It's all bad for you when you get down to it. I sincerely hope humanity can find its way off plastic in my lifetime.