An Irish doctor has described plastic as "basically the biggest uncontrolled biological experiment of the last 100 years".
Scientists have been concerned about the health impacts of plastic for years. And for the first time last year, a study in the Netherlands found microplastics in the blood of 80 per cent of those they tested. During that event, the European Society of Endocrinology revealed there are over 1,500 harmful chemicals in plastic that can affect hormones; causing cancer, obesity, diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis and infertility.
Since microplastics are so small, they can contaminate "marine species, birds, food and drinking water". Endocrine Society scientists say: "The incidence of several conditions including neurodevelopmental, reproductive and metabolic disorders, as well as some cancers, has increased over past decades with evidence that exposure to EDCs has contributed to this increase."
All three are now calling for urgent action from policy makers to control the rising tide of plastics to protect people and the environment.