Microplastic Pollution
Context:
Over 80 Padma awardee doctors recently issued a national advisory warning that air pollution has become a direct and ongoing threat highlighting the detection of microplastics and nanoplastics in ambient air.
A recent study found that Delhi has one of the highest concentrations of inhalable microplastics among Indian megacities
About Microplastics:
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size in any dimension and also covers nanoplastics, which are even smaller.
The definition applies to all plastics regardless of feedstock: i.e., plastics derived from fossil fuels, biomass, recycled content or a combination of these
Types:
Primary Microplastics:
These are intentionally produced small particles, such as microbeads in personal care products or plastic pellets.
Examples: plastic pellets, agricultural pesticide and fertiliser delivery systems
Secondary Microplastics:
results from the degradation and fragmentation of larger plastic items due to environmental factors like sunlight and friction.
Examples include vehicle tyres (traffic pollution), synthetic textiles, paints, and packaging materials
Microplastic pathways and target sectors
Microplastic pollution can occur throughout the lifecycle of plastic items.
Some of the main pathways to the environment include wastewater, sludge, stormwater run-off, shipping container spills and fragmentation.
Each pathway requires different measures to prevent microplastic pollution.
Impact on Human Health
The small size of microplastics makes them highly bioavailable (i.e., taken up by living organisms via ingestion and absorption).
Airborne microplastics can penetrate deep into the respiratory and circulatory systems
They are linked to chronic inflammation, endocrine disruption, and metabolic disorders (like diabetes)
Presence in arterial walls can raise the risk of heart attack or stroke by 4.5 times
Urban Indians may inhale enough to accumulate roughly 3 grams in their lungs over a lifetime.
Impact on Environment:
Microplastics found in the marine environment, soil, freshwater, and urban areas can persist in the environment for extended periods.
This can alter:
Soil structure leading to compromised agricultural productivity and food security.
Leached chemicals can enter food chain and disrupt ecosystem functions
reduce ocean carbon sequestration
weakening the ocean’s efficacy in climate mitigation