World Environment Day, led by the UN, which takes place on June 5 this year, has set a goal to end plastic pollution around the globe.
The event focuses on solutions to tackle plastic and microplastic pollution with a campaign titled '#BeatPlasticPollution' as its theme.
What are microplastics?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, microplastics are fragments of plastic between 1 nanometre and 5 millimetres in length. These fragments are present everywhere from the ocean floor to human arteries.
One source of microplastic pollution are microbeads—small particles that are added to beauty and self-care products. The primary source of these fragments, however, comes from the disintegration of larger plastic products over time. The particles can also move through the food web, going from the air to the sea and soil.
How harmful are microplastics to humans and the environment?
Studies have shown that microplastics can hamper the growth of algae in water bodies and affect marine food webs. Accumulation of these particles inside human organs can also lead to long-term health risks. Several studies have found that exposure to some microplastic material can even be carcinogenic.
When were microplastics first found?
One of the first reported incidents caused by plastic pollution took place in the 1960s, when plastic particles and bottle caps were found in the stomachs of albatrosses on an island in Alaska.
From then on, millions of tonnes of plastic material have been found in the environment. The term 'microplastic' was introduced in 2004, upon identifying granules of plastic found on beaches in the UK.
How is India dealing with plastic pollution?
Studies have also shown that India contributes to a fifth of global plastic pollution levels each year.
While India did flag polyethylene as unsafe in cosmetics in 2017, it has not resulted in stricter regulations or bans on plastic microbeads in cosmetics.
India also banned single-use plastic in 2021, following which several states issued their own orders for partial/complete bans on them. Although the country has generally shown an interest in tackling plastic pollution by joining hands globally on several initiatives, dealing with microplastic pollution will require more streamlined regulations.
