As the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations begin at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi today, world leaders have been urged to slash plastic production in a bid to protect human health.

Led by Common Seas in collaboration with the Plastic Health Council and Break Free From Plastic, a billboard campaign in Terminal 1A of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is asking delegates at INC-3 to ensure a robust UN Treaty protects human health.

As delegates begin the third round of negotiations for the UN Plastics Treaty in Nairobi, leading environmental organisations have left a stark welcome message for world leaders.

Placed strategically in the route international attendees will take, the billboard includes an image of a human blood bag with the message that ‘plastic is in our blood’.

Last year Common Seas research found that nearly 80% of people tested had plastic particles in their blood.

Each day we’re all exposed to plastic, which have been found in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. Our bodily exposure is set to increase as global production of plastic is on course to double by 2040 – making this a public health risk that must be immediately addressed.

This week INC-3 discussions will see hundreds of countries negotiate to reach a consensus on the draft context of the UN Plastic Treaty. The policies they will debate have the potential to be strong, but the use of ‘either/or’ risk creating weak policy options.

Environmental organisations, including Break Free From Plastic and the Plastic Health Council, are therefore urging delegates to meet with the responsibility to mandate plastic production and protect our bodies from further exposure with a rigorous, legally binding treaty.

Jo Royle, CEO of Common Seas, said: “Plastic is infiltrating our bodies, our veins, our blood and our hearts. The Global Plastics Treaty must act as an international mandate for decisive, definitive research on plastic and health.

“At INC-2 in Paris, delegates sat for four days throughout the negotiating procedure and made little progress. The treaty now has very few remaining negotiating days left and we need to make the most of them. Without ambitious progress, our health will continue to be at risk.

“In Nairobi, as delegates arrive and see our billboard, we hope they feel the need to push for a robust, legally binding treaty that protects our health.”

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