Doctors sound alarm over microplastics as health and environmental fears mount
Even newborns aren't immune, according to former Australian Medical Association president, Steve Robson.
'(Microplastics) been detected in breast milk and even in baby poo of newborn babies,' professor Robson told 7NEWS, adding they 'can even affect our reproductive system'.
'What it's doing to our bodies is really frightening me.'
A growing body of research has experts sounding the alarm on the potential health impacts of microplastic exposure.
The University of Sydney published a major study on the topic showing that microplastics are 'building up in all types of tissues and cells within the human body'.
'Also with the digestive system, we found links to characteristics associated with cancer,' said the university's senior research fellow, Nicholas Chartres.
'We also found that they also impact things like respiratory health — so lung function — but also increasing chronic inflammation in the lung and also again with potential links to things like lung cancer.'
An international treaty involving 175 countries is currently being finalised to combat global plastic pollution.
But Chartres and a team of leading experts say environmental action must be matched with policies to protect human health.
The are calling for a global cap on plastic production and legally binding requirements to ensure plastics are free from toxic chemicals, and taken aim at big companies and countries who are delaying reforms.
'We can't recycle our way out of the problem,' Chartres told 7NEWS.
'All we're doing essentially is continuing the cycle of exposing ourselves to these hazardous chemicals.'
The team has also called attention to single-use plastics in healthcare, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robson says a review into healthcare is important.
'We need to think really carefully about how to refocus the health system to minimise the risk to patients and to the staff providing care,' Robson said.
If the world fails to act, experts have predicted a dire future.
'Unfortunately, for generations to come there is going to be a growing burden of disease due to plastics,' Chartres said.
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