Burning plastic can release toxic chemicals like mercury, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the atmosphere, which poses a threat to human health.
A 2016 study found that burning plastic waste could increase the risk of heart disease and cause damage to the nervous system. The study also noted side effects like rashes, headaches, nausea, and worsened asthma.
The link between burning plastic waste and cancer is more tenuous, since it depends on how long a person is exposed. Over a long period of time, plastic fumes could become carcinogenic.