Fry backs Mail campaign on perils of microplastics

STEPHEN Fry has expressed fears over the health impact of plastic particles entering the human body.

The actor and broadcaster, 64, said he was particularly concerned at recent scientific findings of microplastic particles in human blood samples.

To highlight the threat, Fry has done a voice-over for an animation launched today by social enterprise Common Seas.

The video follows globally recognised research it commissioned which showed microplastics have entered the blood of almost eight in ten humans.

Study leader Professor Dick Vethaak, of the Free University of Amsterdam, has described the discovery as ‘a breakthrough result’. Clothes, paints, toys and packaging all contain plastic which enter the air, food, water and, ultimately, the human body.

The Daily Mail has led the way on the threat with its Ban the Beads Now campaign which led to the outlawing of products containing plastic microbeads – including some face scrubs, soaps and toothpastes.

Common Seas is investigating the effects of such particles in our blood to learn what can be done.

Fry, pictured, says in the film: ‘As it travels around your body, does plastic accumulate? Cause inflammation? Host pathogens and harmful chemicals?

‘We think it could. So do many scientists. Plastic is a threat to human health. So let’s stop the flow of plastics into our seas, into our bodies, and into our blood.’

It comes after a study revealed microplastic particles have been found in the majority of living human lungs by scientists for the first time. Researchers from Hull University and Hull York Medical School analysed tissue samples from patients having lung surgery. Out of 13, only two samples did not contain any microplastics. Last year, more than 80 non-governmental organisations, scientists and MPs signed a letter calling on the Government to introduce a £15million National Plastic Health Impact Research Fund. Now, a campaign petition demanding further research into the harm of plastic pollution has gathered more than 65,000 signatures.

Common Seas chief executive Jo Royle said: ‘Plastic production is on track to double within the next 20 years and so our exposure to this health risk will continue to increase.

We hope that... those with the power to affect this change will listen and act now.’