Turtles suffer as our chemicals reach reef

TURTLES at the Great Barrier Reef are suffering health problems as a result of household chemicals and medicines going down our drains and reaching the ocean.

Heart medications and a gout drug, as well as cosmetic and industrial chemicals, were among thousands of substances detected in the animals’ bloodstreams during a conservation project at the 1,400mile reef off Australia.

In the project, led by WWF Australia, turtles tested in bays on the Queensland coast and in remote islands were found suffering inflammation and liver dysfunction from the chemicals. Experts warn some of these substances may have come from the UK, where native wildlife is also being harmed. It follows many warnings about plastic fragments used in cosmetics harming sealife.

Tisha Brown, of Greenpeace, said: ‘What goes down the drain in the UK can end up polluting the other side of the planet. Toxic chemicals and pollutants recirculate and that’s especially concerning for slow-growing, long-living, farranging species like sea turtles.’

Last month scientists also warned the Great Barrier Reef is too badly damaged to be saved. A major problem is coral ‘bleaching’ caused by the sea being too warm.