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82 | CURBING PLASTIC POLLUTION

AN UNPUBLISHED REPORT
Plastics threaten human

and global health

The Minderoo-Monaco Commission presents an unprecedented analysis
of the risks posed by plastics to human and global health. The conclusions

of the 48 world-renowned researchers are now a benchmark.

On 21 March 2023, at a press conference held at the THE REFERENCE DOCUMENT
Monaco Science Centre, a select group of experts
from the Minderoo-Monaco Commission, including The event took place on the day the report was pu-
members of Boston College's Global Observatory for blished in the leading journal Annals of Global Health.
Planetary Health, the Departments of Medicine and The result of a year's worth of research, and in line
Marine Biology at the Monaco Science Centre and with previous reports on plastic pollution presented
the "Plastics and Human Health" team at the Minde- in Monaco, this major publication (226 pages) is
roo Foundation (Australia), summarised the first glo- based on contributions from 48 experts, scientists,
bal report on the impact of plastics throughout their clinicians, and policy analysts from around the wor-
life cycle on human health and the planet's ecosys- ld. Their in-depth, well-documented approaches
tems, particularly the ocean. The medico-economic converge.
analysis, i.e., the healthcare costs incurred as a result
of this pollution, is included at the end of the report. Neurotoxic, carcinogenic, immune, and endocrine
disruptors i.e., plastics and their many chemical
components have an impact on living organisms and
ecosystems. Derived from fossil fuels, washed away
daily, fragmented, ingested in minute and repeated
doses, sprayed into the atmosphere, and scattered
PROFILE in the ocean, plastics are an invisible, growing, and
global source of pollution of great concern. Increased
Launched to coincide with Monaco cardiovascular disease and cancer, neurological and
Ocean Week 2022, the Minderoo- fertility disorders, learning disabilities, obesity, in-
Monaco Commission was set up to creased risk of miscarriage... Experts detail the de-
break down barriers in research into vastating repercussions of widespread human expo-
the many dangers that plastic poses to sure to this chemical, which disproportionately affects
human health. children, the vulnerable, people on low incomes and
minorities. From the extraction of the oil and gas that
make up their raw materials to their elimination from
vital ecosystems, the toxicity of plastics and their
chemical components is now brought to light in this
document, unveiled as a preview at the sixth Monaco
Ocean Week.

4. The Minderoo-Monaco Commission report is available
at http://tinyURL.com/Minderoo-Monaco