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Plastic Health Summit in Amsterdam
International congress presents the latest scientific research results into the health effects of plastic
The second Plastic Health Summit will be held on 21 October in Amsterdam. The congress is being organised by the Dutch NGO Plastic Soup Foundation and the Plastic Health Coalition.
The speakers include leading scientists, legal experts and environmental activists from Indonesia, Malawi, Greenland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Apart from presentations on the latest scientific research results, avenues to have plastic pollution recognised as an offence under ‘ecocide’ will also explored. Plastic pollution is a human rights issue, especially as it mostly affects poor and indigenous communities. Millions of children in low-income countries work on burning mountains of plastic waste.
Human health and the environment
The theme of the congress is ‘One Health’, given that environmental and human health are inextricably linked. The diverse presentations will discuss the impact of plastic on the environment and on human health during its entire life cycle, from production through consumption to the waste phase.
The congress has three main foci.
1. The latest scientific research into the relationship between health and plastics/microplastics, microfibres and chemical additives.
2. The effects of plastic pollution on humans and the environment, for us and the generations to come.
3. Ecocide and environmental legislation as potential instruments against plastic pollution.
Maria Westerbos, founder and Director of the Plastic Soup Foundation says “We are now at a critical tipping point. We only have 10 years in which to solve the plastic crisis.”
Speakers
- Professor Dick Vethaak of the Free University of Amsterdam on ‘One Health’ and the hazards of microplastics on human health.
- Jojo Mehta, co-founder of Stop Ecocide on making plastic pollution a punishable offence under ecocide legislation.
- Shaman leader Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq from Greenland on the raining down of micro particles originating from car tyres on North European roads, and how disproportionately badly the wild Greenland landscape and communities there are affected by climate change and chemical pollution.
- Dr Raymond Pieters of Utrecht University will share his preliminary findings on the link between air pollution, plastics and their impact on our immune system.
- Gloria Majiga-Kamato from Malawi, a young activist and winner of the Goldman Environmental Award, will talk about her campaigns against the plastics industry.
- Nina and Tara, two teenagers from Indonesia, will talk about how they became activists to stop the export of plastic waste from Western countries – including the Netherlands – from ending up in their backyard.
- Jo Royle, CEO of Common Seas, on new research into microplastics and nanoplastics in the intestines, pathogenic bacteria that stick to plastic and the battle against plastic nappies.
- Professor Susan Shaw, Professor of Public Health at the State University of New York in Albany, will discuss the dumping and incineration of e-waste in low-income countries and the serious health risks these pose to children.
- Jane Patton of the Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL) will address human rights in the communities around plastic factories where there are higher than average rates of cancer.
- The legendary explorer and oceanographer Captain Charles Moore will close the congress with a call for the world community to take action against plastic pollution.
Jo Royle, CEO of Common Seas says “There is increasing evidence that plastic is negatively affecting our health. We have the right to know what it does to the human body. The Plastic Health Summit is important to bring the body of evidence together and call on industry, governments and philanthropists all over the world to fund more research into the health effects of plastic.”
Professor Susan Shaw, Professor of Public Health at the State University of New York in Albany, says “the exposure of vulnerable children to the deadly impact of the plastic waste economy is a violation of human rights.”
Theater Amsterdam
The location is the Theater Amsterdam. Under the current corona restrictions, there is capacity for 350 visitors. The congress can also be followed digitally by up to 10,000 people.
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