The Coalition has secured a Senate inquiry into the potential health impacts of microplastics, toxins and "forever chemicals" as part of our commitment to proactive, preventative health policy that puts families first.
The inquiry will examine emerging evidence that microplastics and other pollutants are being detected in human tissue – including in arteries, lungs and reproductive organs – and may be linked to a range of serious health concerns including fertility, pregnancy outcomes, cardiovascular function and early childhood development.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston said the Coalition was taking the lead on ensuring Australians better understand the potential health implications of pollutants such as microplastics and empower them to take proactive steps to protect their health.
“We have been hearing directly from scientists, specialists and everyday Australians including young families and women planning pregnancies about how this issue has become a significant area of concern for them,” Senator Ruston said.
“By leading this inquiry, the Coalition is taking a proactive approach to ensure health policy keeps pace with emerging science and Australians have the knowledge and support they need to make informed, preventative health decisions across all aspects of their health – from heart health to hormonal health to family planning.
Shadow Minister for Women, Melissa McIntosh MP said the inquiry will benefit the health of women across the country and indeed all Australians.
“There is growing research suggesting microplastics could be affecting fertility, pregnancy outcomes and hormone function. It’s important we understand all the possible contributing factors to empower Australian families with knowledge and choices for their family planning,” Ms McIntosh said.
“The Coalition is committed to ensuring women’s health remains a strong policy focus, including through improved understanding of environmental health risks.”
Australia’s fertility rate has now fallen to its lowest level on record, with more families relying on IVF and other fertility treatments to start a family. The Coalition believes it is vital to understand whether environmental factors such as microplastics could be contributing to these trends and some of the rising healthcare costs faced by Australian families.
“This is an excellent opportunity to bring attention and resources to this important issue,” says Professor David MacIntyre, Director of the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide, where research on ‘forever chemicals’ in reproductive health is a focus area.
“By examining evidence from interdisciplinary biomedical scientists, chemists, epidemiologists and community stakeholders, the inquiry has the potential to offer real solutions to these pressing health issues.”
Independent embryologist, fertility educator and IVF patient advocate Lucy Lines said there was growing concern in the fertility field about the impact of environmental exposures on reproductive health.
“As an embryologist who’s spent more than two decades working with IVF and fertility patients, I know how sensitive early development is to even tiny changes in the environment.
“Finding microplastics and chemicals like BPA in reproductive tissues should make us pause – because while the science is still unfolding, we already know that what we breathe, eat and touch can influence fertility and pregnancy outcomes. It’s time we took these everyday exposures seriously.”
The Senate Community Affairs References Committee will conduct the inquiry, bringing together experts, researchers and community voices to examine the evidence and inform evidence-based policy responses. The final report is due 29 May 2026.
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