Current EU legislation is failing to prevent the spread of microplastics throughout the human body, according to a new report published on Wednesday (22 July) by the Plastic Soup Foundation in collaboration with Green Impact.
Drawing on peer-reviewed scientific evidence, the report says microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in human blood, breast milk, lungs, brain tissue, placentas and children’s urine.
It warns that their widespread presence constitutes an escalating public health crisis and calls for stronger EU action.
“Europe has the scientific evidence and holds the political mandate to protect public health. What is missing is the ambition to legislate at the pace the science demands,” said Gaia Angelini, president of Green Impact.
The report reviews evidence linking micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) to a range of health effects observed in mammal studies, including intestinal disturbance, cardiovascular and reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity and metabolic disruption.
