The final round of negotiations on the future international treaty aimed at eliminating plastic pollution will take place in South Korea from November 25th to December 2nd 2024. Among the topics still under discussion are the measures to be taken to reduce the toxicity of plastics.
In order to contribute to the ongoing debate and upcoming decisions, the French 'Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices' organized a public hearing in the form of two roundtables to assess the state of scientific knowledge on the impacts of plastics on human health. The first roundtable addressed the exposure pathways and health effects of particulate plastics. The second roundtable focused on the effects of chemicals associated with plastics on humans.
The objective was to raise awareness among French senators and deputies, as well as governments, about the health impacts of plastics and the chemicals, and to enable French representatives to make informed decisions during the negotiations.
PlasticsFatE member Sonja Boland from Université Paris Cité was invited to talk about the effects of inhaled plastics, including some results obtained within PlasticsFatE, and answered questions raised by the parliamentarians.
Reflecting on the importance of the event, Sonja Boland stated:
"Addressing plastic pollution requires not only reducing its environmental footprint but also understanding its profound implications for human health. The opportunity to present research on the health impacts of inhaled plastics, alongside international experts, highlights the critical need for science-driven policies. This dialogue between researchers and lawmakers is essential to ensure that decisions at the global treaty negotiations reflect the urgency of protecting both ecosystems and human well-being."
The effects of ingested plastics and additives were also presented by French and international scientists.
A report will be written by French parliamentarians based on the experts’ presentations and panel discussions.
The public hearing was broadcast live on October 17, 2024, and the video is available on the French Congress website:
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