Plastic pollution causing hormone disruption in arctic animals
Arctic mammals are experiencing hormone disruption due to phthalates, which are chemicals found in plastic bottles, according to scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). MP Mary Creagh told the UK parliament's Environmental Audit Committee, which she chairs, that Edward King from the BAS had disclosed that polar bears in the Arctic are developing two sets of testicles as a result of plastic pollution. CEO of Surfers Against Sewage, Hugo Tagholm, stated that his charity had warned that hormone disruption was also altering the sex of fish. The impact of such pollution on human health remains unknown.

Fears have been raised over the risks of plastic pollution as MPs heard claims discarded bottles are leading to polar bears developing two sets of testicles.

During a meeting of the House of Commons' Environmental Audit Committee, senior Labour MP Mary Creagh described how top scientists have found suggestions of hormone disruption in the Arctic mammals.

Telling how Edward King, from the British Antarctic Survey, informed her of the worrying discovery during a recent reception in Parliament, committee chair Ms Creagh said: "They are seeing, in the Arctic, polar bears with two sets of testicles.

"Because the phthalates are leaching out from the plastic bottles in the Arctic environment and disrupting the hormones of large mammals."

The former Labour shadow minister spoke as the committee heard evidence as part of its inquiry into disposable packaging.

Image: Labour MP Mary Creagh told of fears over the risks of plastic pollution

Dr Sue Kinsey, senior pollution policy officer at the Marine Conservation Society, revealed there is "quite a bit of anecdotal evidence and some scientific evidence" about hormone disruption from phthalates - chemicals used in a wide range of common products - believed to have originated from plastics.

Hugo Tagholm, chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage, highlighted how his charity have warned about hormone disruption changing the sex of fish.

"That may well be the same for mammals," he said.

"This is research that needs to continue and leads straight back to humankind."

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Speaking after the committee hearing, Ms Creagh pointed to how the committee's previous inquiry into the impact of microplastic pollution - such as from exfoliation beads - had led to action from health officials.

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She told Sky News: "We do not yet know how serious the risk to human health is from plastic pollution.

"In our report on microplastic pollution we raised concerns that plastic is entering the foodchain, and that the smallest particles of all - nano plastics - are small enough to pass into the blood stream.

"The Chief Medical Officer was sufficiently concerned by our findings to launch a review of the risks to human health from plastic pollution."

The committee's microplastic inquiry led to the Government banning plastic microbeads, while Environment Secretary Michael Gove recently announced ministers are working with industry over the possible introduction of a deposit return scheme for drinks bottles in England.

The Scottish Government has already committed to implementing such a recycling scheme in order to tackle plastic pollution.

Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign, launched earlier this year, is aimed at reducing the more than eight million tons of plastic being dumped in the world's oceans every year, putting marine wildlife under serious threat.

:: You can find out more about the Sky Ocean Rescue and how to get involved here.