Doctors sound alarm over microplastics as health and environmental fears mount
Microplastics have infiltrated nearly every corner of life — they're in our food and drinks, in the clothes we wear, and even in the air we breathe.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Sexual harassment and violence training for bar staff
Making venues safer for workers and patrons alike is part of efforts to reinvigorate a major city's ailing nightlife with mandates for venue staff to undergo training around sexual harassment and violence prevention. Training provided as part of Responsible Service of Alcohol accreditations follow several recent scandals engulfing major players in Sydney's hospitality industry and re-evaluation of its hard-partying reputation. The changes ensure workers are better equipped to care for customers and colleagues with ambitions to make the state a global gold-standard for nightlife and entertainment, NSW Night-Time Economy Minister John Graham said. "That only happens if our venues are safe, welcoming and respectful for everyone who walks through the door. "The updated RSA training course gives hospitality staff real-world tools and guidance needed to step in, defuse trouble and assist their patrons when it counts." RSA training - mandatory for anyone who sells, serves or supplies liquor - will have updated materials to give workers a clearer understanding of the law, including differences between sexual harassment and sexual assault. Another recent revision updated guidance on drink spiking. Staff will also be trained in how to respond when patrons report harassment, violence, and suspected drink spiking, including on how to connect them with support services. Training for licensees has been updated to reflect employer obligations to prevent workplace sexual harassment. "It's important for us to engage with people where they live, learn, work, socialise and play, including the hospitality sector," Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison said. "This training is one example of the work underway to change the beliefs and cultures that tolerate or condone violence." The state's Women's Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said the changes are an important step to making spaces safer and more respectful. "Everyone should feel confident that they'll be safe when they're socialising or working in a bar, club, restaurant or pub." Sydney's after-dark economy was damaged by restrictive and since-repealed lockout laws beginning in 2013 following violent one-punch deaths in nightlife precincts. The COVID-19 pandemic also severely impacted the hospitality sector, and changing residential demographics in some areas prompted noise and other complaints affecting venues. The state has established special entertainment precincts with extended trading hours and looser noise controls as part of "vibrancy reforms". People buying property in some areas will have to acknowledge the potential for noise in a bid to limit conflict between established venues and new neighbours. Enmore Road in the city's inner west was the first area declared a special entertainment precinct with the council considering additional areas. Further west, Burwood and Fairfield councils have received grants to begin a trial of precincts by the end of 2025. A regional trial is also planned in Byron Bay in the state's north. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Sexual harassment and violence training for bar staff
Making venues safer for workers and patrons alike is part of efforts to reinvigorate a major city's ailing nightlife with mandates for venue staff to undergo training around sexual harassment and violence prevention. Training provided as part of Responsible Service of Alcohol accreditations follow several recent scandals engulfing major players in Sydney's hospitality industry and re-evaluation of its hard-partying reputation. The changes ensure workers are better equipped to care for customers and colleagues with ambitions to make the state a global gold-standard for nightlife and entertainment, NSW Night-Time Economy Minister John Graham said. "That only happens if our venues are safe, welcoming and respectful for everyone who walks through the door. "The updated RSA training course gives hospitality staff real-world tools and guidance needed to step in, defuse trouble and assist their patrons when it counts." RSA training - mandatory for anyone who sells, serves or supplies liquor - will have updated materials to give workers a clearer understanding of the law, including differences between sexual harassment and sexual assault. Another recent revision updated guidance on drink spiking. Staff will also be trained in how to respond when patrons report harassment, violence, and suspected drink spiking, including on how to connect them with support services. Training for licensees has been updated to reflect employer obligations to prevent workplace sexual harassment. "It's important for us to engage with people where they live, learn, work, socialise and play, including the hospitality sector," Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison said. "This training is one example of the work underway to change the beliefs and cultures that tolerate or condone violence." The state's Women's Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said the changes are an important step to making spaces safer and more respectful. "Everyone should feel confident that they'll be safe when they're socialising or working in a bar, club, restaurant or pub." Sydney's after-dark economy was damaged by restrictive and since-repealed lockout laws beginning in 2013 following violent one-punch deaths in nightlife precincts. The COVID-19 pandemic also severely impacted the hospitality sector, and changing residential demographics in some areas prompted noise and other complaints affecting venues. The state has established special entertainment precincts with extended trading hours and looser noise controls as part of "vibrancy reforms". People buying property in some areas will have to acknowledge the potential for noise in a bid to limit conflict between established venues and new neighbours. Enmore Road in the city's inner west was the first area declared a special entertainment precinct with the council considering additional areas. Further west, Burwood and Fairfield councils have received grants to begin a trial of precincts by the end of 2025. A regional trial is also planned in Byron Bay in the state's north. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
West Australian
9 hours ago
- West Australian
Joondalup, Midland hospital staff encouraged to wear masks as high flu and COVID cases hit
Two Perth hospitals have given a directive to staff to wear masks after an unprecedented influx of influenza and COVID-19 cases. On Thursday, Joondalup Health Campus staff were requested to wear masks in all clinical areas to reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses. It is understood St John of God Midland Hospital has also encouraged staff to wear masks in clinical areas. It comes as The West Australian this week revealed the number of people in hospital with the flu had more than doubled the same time last year. A Ramsay Health Care WA spokeswoman said the request to wear masks came after an increase in infectious respiratory bugs at the hospital — including influenza and COVID. 'Joondalup Health Campus is encouraging staff to wear face masks in all clinical areas in response to an increase in respiratory viruses, including influenza and COVID-19, which the hospital is seeing more of than usual for this time of the year, including in relation to inpatients,' she said. 'At this stage, Hollywood Private Hospital, Glengarry Private Hospital and Attadale Rehabilitation Hospital haven't experienced the same level of heightened influenza and COVID activity, and therefore have not needed to make changes to mask wearing protocols. 'Ramsay Health Care will continue to closely monitor the situation across our WA hospitals.' She encouraged people to get the flu vaccination and keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Perth's northern suburbs have experienced the highest flu numbers in the metropolitan area with 2556 cases so far this year. The eastern suburbs are next with 2316 cases while the southern suburbs have recorded 1916 infections. A St John of God Health Care spokeswoman said 'ensuring the safety of patients and caregivers continues to be a top priority'. 'To be more agile in managing acute respiratory infections, a framework is in place that enables our wards or hospitals to introduce mask use during periods of increased risk, such as localised outbreaks,' she said. 'These decisions are made locally, based on clinical advice and current risk levels.' A WA Health spokesman said the department had not issued a State-wide directive to wear masks in hospitals. 'As per the COVID-19 infection and prevention control in WA healthcare facilities guidelines, healthcare and residential care facilities may implement routine mask-wearing as part of their winter respiratory virus strategy, during specific situations,' he said. WA Health figures show that, as of June 15, there have been 8708 recorded influenza infections so far this year, more than double the 3760 cases this time last year. Of those 8708 cases, 1579 people have been admitted to hospital — more than double the 749 at the same time last year. COVID cases have also been climbing with an average of 156 people in hospital with the infection, as of June 15, after 148 people the previous week. Health experts warned a further spike of flu was expected in coming weeks as the middle of winter nears. WA chief health officer Andrew Robertson urged anyone feeling sick to look after themselves. 'Obviously they need to rest and if they become unwell, particularly if they have any other health issues, consider going to the GP and to our emergency department, noting that it is a busy time of year for all of our hospitals,' he said on Wednesday.
