Health concerns over latest microplastic report
NSW Greens spokesperson for Health Dr Amanda Cohn MLC has warned that increasing levels of microplastics found along our coastline, including at popular Sydney beaches, are a major concern for our health.
The AUSMAP NSW Microplastics Report released today found a threefold increase in microplastics since the last reporting period four years earlier.
“Plastic never goes away once it’s produced. It only breaks into smaller pieces in the environment,” Dr Cohn said.
“There’s more and more concerning scientific evidence about microplastics building up in our bodies. Microplastics have been found in breast milk and in human brains. They’ve been linked to endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, decreased reproductive health and cancer,” Dr Cohn said.
“The report showed increasing levels of all sorts of plastics in the environment, including synthetic turf. It’s astonishing that new synthetic field installations are going in while we are only learning the full extent of the damage they are causing to our health as well as our waterways.”
“The government must be more ambitious in reducing the production of plastic at its source through product stewardship schemes.”