By DIVE Staff
The UK Government has been urged to fund research into the human health impact of plastic pollution after a petition signed by more than 100,000 people was delivered to 10 Downing Street on Thursday, 23 February.
The petition was delivered by a party led by Common Seas, asking the government to implement a £15 million National Plastic Health Impact Research Fund in the Spring Budget, due to be delivered on 15 March this year. The Common Seas representatives were joined by members of the Women’s Institute, Kids Against Plastic and filmmaker Ciara Doyle.
More about plastic pollution
The petition is the result of groundbreaking research by Common Seas which found that 77 per cent of people tested had plastic in their blood, yet research into the phenomenon is sparse at present, however, studies have shown that plastic particles have been found widely in our food, drink, and the air we breathe.
Common Seas and a coalition of NGOs have been campaigning for the new research Fund, which will study the effects of microplastics on human health, and is supported by more than 80 scientists, campaigners and MPs.
Human exposure to plastic pollution is set to increase as global production of plastic is on course to double by 2030, according to the United Nations, which Common Seas says is ‘a public health risk that must be immediately investigated.’
Common Seas CEO Jo Royle said: ‘Delivering our petition with 100,000 signatures to Downing Street, in the company of the UK’s largest women’s organisation and leading youth voices, is so important ahead of the Chancellor’s crucial Budget on 15 March.
‘It has become very clear that microplastics are not just an environmental problem, but also a health one,’ added Royle. ‘A £15 million National Plastic Health Impact Research Fund would establish the UK as a science superpower in this vital area of research.
‘We hope with the support of so many people the Government will address the urgent need to implement research into the health effects of plastic pollution.’
For more information about the plastic health impact research fund, visit: commonseas.com
