Netflix subscribers have urged everyone to watch the film, but warned prospective viewers to proceed with caution.

The couples featured have all been trying unsuccessfully to have a child (Image: Netflix)

A brand new documentary recently added to Netflix has been labelled a “wake up call” by horrified viewers.

The Plastic Detox, which landed on the streaming platform just this week, delves into the effects of exposure to everyday plastic items such as clothing fibres, cosmetics and kitchen utensils on human health and fertility.

The feature-length film focuses on six couples who are all attempting to conceive. They all share one commonality: they have been unable to fall pregnant, with some of the pairs having spent years trying unsuccessfully to do so.

They are challenged to reduce their exposure to plastics over a three-month period, supported by scientists and researchers, to see if doing so can change their luck.

Netflix’s official synopsis states: “Strange symptoms. Unexplained infertility. Human extinction? Six couples cut back on plastics while trying to conceive in this absorbing documentary.” The film is directed by Louie Psihoyos, who was behind the 2024 Netflix documentary, You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment, reports the Mirror.
Dr Shanna Swan guides the couples through their plastic detox (Image: Netflix)
Viewers have been quick to share their initial reactions to the documentary on social media, with one cautioning fellow viewers: “I was not prepared to be so enraged and also disgusted. So many chemicals. In everything. All the time. Just watch at your own risk.”

A second viewer urged: “Everyone needs to watch this. It’s a wake-up call,” whilst a third commented: “I just made the grave mistake of watching The Plastic Detox on Netflix and that was a mistake. I mean, it wasn’t, but it was. I would not recommend if you’re a spiraller… because, wow.”

The documentary only arrived on Netflix on Monday (March 16) (Image: Netflix)

Environmental and reproductive epidemiologist Dr Shanna Swan, who features in the documentary, told Netflix’s Tudum: “I think it empowers people to know that they can do things to protect themselves, at least if not completely, to a large extent.

“And that’s what the film really shows – when these couples took action and reduced their exposure, they saw differences.”

At the time of writing, it has been disclosed that three out of the six couples who participated in the experiment have since conceived. One pair, Monique and Bruno, are actually anticipating the arrival of their second child later this month.

In addition to noticing an improvement in fertility, the couple reported a significant impact on their overall health as well. They told Tudum: “We sleep better, our skin is less dry, and Bruno’s extreme eczema has decreased considerably.”