Minderoo-Monaco Commission on the human health impact of plastic

48 leading scientists and researchers have just published 215 pages of analysis, findings, and recommendations on the impact of Plastic and Microplastic Pollution 🤔 , and it makes for some very sobering reading 😟 . 

The Minderoo-Monaco Commission brought together worldwide experts on plastic and human health to highlight the potential harm toxic chemical additives in plastic can cause. They provide us with an impressive and comprehensive study 💪 , and answers to the all important "So what?!" question on Plastic Pollution 🤔. 

The Commission's extensive findings included
- that the toxic chemicals in fossil-fuel plastic increase the risk of miscarriage, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other major health concerns,
-Paint is increasingly recognised as an important source of marine Microplastics, and the potentially toxic additives in Paint are shed into the environment from ships and other marine megastructures, such as oil rigs,
- the health repercussions of Plastic disproportionately affect vulnerable, low-income & minority communities, particularly children. 

So, what can we do about it❓ 

Well, the good news is the planned, legally binding UN Global Plastics Treaty can make a real difference 😄 , and the Commission recommends the following should be included in that Treaty

✅ A global cap on plastic production. 
✅ A ban/restriction on manufacture and use of single-use plastics.
✅ Extension of the scope of the Global Plastics Treaty beyond microplastics and marine litter to include all of the many thousands of chemicals incorporated into plastics.
✅ Establishment of health-protective standards for plastic chemicals, requiring testing of all polymers and plastics chemicals for toxicity before they enter markets.
✅ Inclusion of mechanisms for reducing the complexity of plastic products
✅ Enactment and enforcement of legislation and policy frameworks on Extended Producer Responsibility.

Pinovo welcomes and strongly supports the Minderoo-Monaco Commission report. We believe its clear findings on the negative impact of Plastic and Microplastic Pollution on human health, and its recommendations for action in tackling the problem, will add considerable weight to the efforts of negotiators at INC-2 on the UN Global Plastics Treaty in Paris in May, 2023.

You really should read the report at 👉 https://www.minderoo.org/no-plastic-waste/minderoo-monaco-commission/