BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA / November 21, 2024 – As world leaders gather for the final session of negotiations for a legally-binding treaty to address plastic pollution, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution (INC-5) in Busan, Korea, two doctors with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) will be in attendance.

Dr. Sehjal Bhargava, a family physician and CAPE board member, and Dr. Sharon Dodd, a family physician and CAPE representative, are travelling to Korea to call for a strong international treaty and urgent domestic action to limit plastic production, emphasizing the health harms associated with plastics throughout their lifecycle and the environmental injustices that contribute to disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations.

“The health threats posed by plastics are a critical issue of our time. From the chemicals used in production to the microplastics in our food and water, we’re seeing alarming links to cancers, reproductive disorders, and other serious health conditions. It’s crucial that the global treaty addresses these concerns head-on,” says Dr. Sehjal Bhargava.

“As physicians, we’re deeply concerned about the hidden yet dangerous risks of exposure to plastics, especially in children. The evidence we have is grim, and it’s clear that immediate action is needed to protect public health and ensure environmental justice,” says Dr. Sharon Dodd.

Drs. Dodd and Bhargava are available for media interviews on the critical intersection of plastics human health, and justice including:

• Health impacts of chemicals in plastics, including phthalates, bisphenols, and PFAS
• Environmental justice aspects of plastic pollution
• The need for Canada to lead in creating a just and equitable global plastics treaty
• Urgent actions required to limit plastic production and eliminate hazardous additives

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Contact:
Reykia Fick, CAPE Communications Director, 647-762-9168, media@cape.ca