Leading doctors have warned of the “profound public health crisis” caused by plastic pollution as they called for action ahead of UN negotiations to tackle the global issue. The Plastic Health Council, a coalition of global medics and campaigners, have written an open letter to delegates in preparation for the final round of talks for the UN Global Plastic Treaty scheduled for November. The group advocates for placing scientific evidence at the core of any final UN agreement, expressing concerns that the current draft may not effectively address the true health impact of plastic pollution unless significant changes are made.
Signatories to the letter include representatives from the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, Queens University Belfast, Doctors Against Harm, and various NHS Trusts. They highlight the significant financial burden of plastic pollution on public health globally, citing that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in plastics cost the US at least 250 billion dollars (£187 billion) in economic impact in 2018. This figure could cover the annual salaries of almost the entire registered nurse workforce in the US.
The doctors are urging the UN treaty to focus on reducing plastic production, funding sustainable chemistry research for safe alternatives, and mandating comprehensive testing of all chemicals in plastics. However, during the negotiations, certain countries and players in the petrochemical industry, such as the US, China, and Saudi Arabia, have shown resistance to including controls on yearly plastic production. Recent scientific studies have underscored the presence of microplastics in human blood, placentas, breast milk, and testicles, indicating potential health risks like an increased likelihood of stroke, heart attack, and premature death.
Hugh Montgomery, a professor of intensive care medicine, emphasised that humans are unwittingly absorbing harmful chemicals present in plastics, posing a significant threat to health. Sian Sutherland, co-founder of the Plastic Health Council, noted that the medical community is rallying for action against the health hazards posed by plastics, stressing the urgent need for policy changes. A recent paper published in the BMJ Global Health journal also highlighted concerns about the growing impact of bottled water consumption on human and planetary health, citing the presence of contaminants like microplastics and various chemicals in bottled water samples.
The authors of the paper called for governmental interventions and educational campaigns to shift public perceptions and behaviours regarding bottled water usage. The mounting evidence on the health risks associated with plastics has prompted a unified call from frontline doctors urging policymakers to address the health implications linked to plastic pollution. The medical fraternity is working towards ensuring that the UN treaty effectively mitigates the health impacts of microplastics, urging global action to combat the escalating crisis caused by plastics.