‘We cannot separate environmental health from human health’

With the theme for this year’s World Environment Day, ‘Beating Plastic Pollution’, a GP with a special interest is on a mission to highlight the link between plastic waste and human health, as well as ways GPs can reduce the use of single-use plastics in their practice.
 
Dr Nicole Sleeman sits on the RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine and Doctors for the Environment Australia groups. She is a long-time advocate for action on climate change, raising awareness of its health impacts, and creating sustainable healthcare settings.
 
‘While more research is needed to study the impacts of plastics on human health, there is enough to tell us that we need to act on plastic pollution, for the sake of human health,’ she told newsGP. 
 
‘Human health is intimately related to the health of planetary ecosystems, upon which we ultimately depend.
 
‘We cannot separate environmental health from human health. Plastic that is polluting the oceans, is now also polluting us. 
 
‘World Environment Day is an invitation to reflect upon planetary health and bring this knowledge into our workplace. And given that we are in the business of health, how could we not?’
 
Microplastics have been found in human organs including the brain, lungs, livers, kidneys, placentas, breast milk and cardiovascular atheromas.
 
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine observed that patients found to have microplastics in their carotid artery atheromas were significantly more likely to have cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events than those without.
 
Dr Sleeman says that microplastics cause oxidative stress and inflammation in cells, with some of the chemicals added to plastics linked to endocrine disruption, low birth weights, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, infertility and cancers.
 
A GP based in Cairns, she says there are several ways GPs and practice staff can reduce the use of single-use plastics in their practice, as well as opportunities to raise awareness of the health impacts.
 
‘Plastic Free July is an annual initiative which can kickstart your commitment to reducing single-use plastic in the clinical and non-clinical settings of general practice,’ she said.
 
‘Signing up allows staff to begin noticing how much unnecessary plastic is wasted on a daily basis, and take action on low-hanging fruit, such as takeaway coffee cups, single-use plastic water bottles, overuse of blueys and single-use plastic gloves.
 
‘Ultimately, reducing plastic in the workplace requires leadership that fosters a workplace culture where environmental stewardship is valued, supported and encouraged.’ 
 
Looking at clinical waste systems, setting up waste management plans, conducting waste audits, as well as reducing reliance on single-use plastic liners are also ways Dr Sleeman suggests practices can contribute.
 
The RACGP recognises climate change as a key public health issue and GPs’ role in identifying, reducing and managing the adverse health effects of climate change in their communities.
 
The college has a suite of resources, including a general practice guide to environmental sustainability designed to support practices to take action on reducing energy consumption, prescribing decisions and advocating on behalf of patients for effective climate change action.
 
As ‘respected and trustworthy members of the community’, Dr Sleeman says GPs are central to these roles.
 
‘We have an opportunity to lead by example and educate our patients and colleagues on the importance of caring for the earth’s ecosystems, for the sake of health,’ she said.
 
‘We are at a time in human history where this is urgent, and where we are seeing the impacts of environmental pollution and climate change in our consult rooms.
 
‘Healthy communities are built from a healthy planet, and we can all take part in actions that support this.’
 
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climate change environmental medicine general practice waste plastic pollution World Environment Day