Microplastics have been found in human blood for the first time, according to a recent study conducted by Dutch researchers. These minuscule particles of plastic, as small as 700 nanometers in size, were identified through advanced techniques. The researchers focused on five major plastics, including Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene.
About Microplastics
Less than five millimeters in diameter, smaller than a standard pearl used in jewelry, microplastics are a significant environmental hazard. They adversely affect marine life and come in two types: primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are designed for commercial applications, with examples including microbeads in personal care products and plastic fibers shed from clothing. Secondary microplastics are the result of larger plastic items breaking down due to environmental exposure, such as water bottles breaking down in sunlight and water action.
The Study on Microplastics
Researchers analyzed blood samples from 22 healthy adult donors and found plastic particles in 17 of them. Half of these samples contained PET plastic, commonly used in drink bottles, one-third contained polystyrene used in food packaging, and a quarter contained polyethylene, the material of plastic carrier bags.
Previous findings indicated that there are ten times more microplastics in infants’ feces compared to adults’. Babies fed with plastic bottles ingest millions of particles daily. These particles circulate through the body and can embed themselves in organs, though the potential health impacts are unknown at this time.
Concerns about Microplastics
There are several concerns regarding the presence of microplastics in our bodies. For instance, they can attach to the membranes of red blood cells, potentially hindering oxygen transport. Laboratory tests show that microplastics can damage human cells. Given that such particles are known to enter the body and contribute to numerous premature deaths yearly due to air pollution, there is reason for concern.
Efforts to Tackle Microplastics
India’s Prime Minister pledged in 2019 to eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022, with an immediate ban in urban Delhi. The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 mandates every local body to set up infrastructure for segregation, collection, processing, and disposal of plastic waste.
Initiatives like the Un-Plastic Collective (UPC) seek to minimize the harmful effects of plastic on our planet’s ecological and social health. The Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) responds to growing concerns over marine pollution.
Other measures include the London Convention, 1972, which aims to control all sources of marine pollution, and the Plastic Pacts, business-led initiatives transforming the plastics packaging value chain.
Looking Ahead
Several strategies have been suggested to address the microplastics issue. A combination of photo and biological degradation systems could effectively decompose microplastics. International collaboration, modelled after the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement, could tackle plastic waste worldwide.
Reducing plastic consumption is essential, and the government, industry, and community must work together to lessen litter on beaches and in oceans. Personal actions, such as avoiding single-use plastics and embracing recycling can significantly reduce microplastic pollution.
Economic support for recycling projects, including tax incentives, R&D funding, tech incubation, Public-Private Partnerships, and initiatives that turn waste into resources are vital. All these strategies are paramount in the fight against microplastics.
