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Microplastics
- 1. TITLE: ADDRESSING THE MICROPLASTICS CHALLENGES -ANSHDHA NANDRA
- 2. Microplastics are particles measuring less than 5mm and have stealthily invaded our ecosystems, posing colossal environmental threats. They are born from the breakdown of larger plastic debris (Secondary MP) or intentionally manufactured at minuscule-sized synthetic polymers (Primary MP). Plastics (Including MPs) are becoming a part of our planet’s fossil record and a marker of the Anthropocene. INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION
- 3. 1950- 1970: Small amount of plastic waste produced, relatively manageable 1970- 1990: The amount of plastic waste generated and produced tripled. Early 2000s: Amount of plastic waste generated in the decade surpassed the amount generated in the beginning 40 years. We are all living in the Plastisphere! Microplastics are even found in the air we breathe!
- 4. IMPACT OF MICROPLASTICS IMPACT OF MICROPLASTICS Microplastics can carry other toxic chemicals such as heavy metals and organic pollutants during adsorption, which can adversely affect the human body Various chemicals are used when synthesizing plastic polymers, depending on the end use, most of which are endocrine disruptors. Marine life and terrestrial animals often ingest or become entangled in plastic waste. Microplastics constitute a significant portion of solid waste in landfill leachates
- 5. The current research work focuses on identifying the presence of microplastics and further characterizing them. One of the main objectives was to identify the sites from where the urban sediments could be collected and analyzed. The process is ongoing however some microplastics are present in the contained samples, further characterization is to follow. Microplastics have been found in human breast milk for the first time (Ragusa et al., 2022) Packaged milk, and cow milk, also contain microplastics (Kumari and Chaudhary, 2022) Airborne microplastics from water potentially serve as a transmission vector for COVID-19 (Liu et al., 2021)
- 6. HOW DO WE OVERCOME THIS OBSTACLE? HOW DO WE OVERCOME THIS OBSTACLE? Organizations such as the United Nations Expert Panel of the United Nations Environmental Programme engaged more than 100 countries in educational campaigns aimed at raising awareness of plastics pollution and encouraging the reuse and recycling of plastics. • Other international cooperative programs were established to address marine wastes, including microplastic pollution. • In 2015 the United States passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act, which prohibits the manufacture and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics products that contain plastic microbeads. • Many other countries also placed bans on microbeads.
- 7. 1 PET 2 PEHD 5 PP 4 PEBD 3 PVC 6 PS 7 Autre Microplastic Pollution is a significant concern. In India, cosmetics that contain plastic microbeads are still available as make-up, lip gloss et. cetera. These microbeads when they enter the water system could become toxin carriers with a toxicity that's 1,000 times higher than the water surrounding it. More than 455 Bn plastic ads and 749 Bn microplastics have been released into the Indian Ocean in the last few years. Indian government currently has no policy paper to fight this menace which is a popular ingredient in toothpastes, shower gels, shaving creams, soaps, face scrubs, exfoliators, etc.
- 8. BRIDGING THE SOLUTION BRIDGING THE SOLUTION To curb the menace, solutions such as Biodegradation of plastic waste, plastic Waste-to-energy, biotechnological upcycling, and more are in play. However, a more promising approach lies in adopting a sustainable plastic waste management system for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while reducing the ecotoxicological impacts. Incorporating plastics into the circular economy following sustainable management of MPs can cope with the problem of plastics. Microplastic pollution levels can be tackled through source reduction strategies as well. UN SDG number 12. “Responsible consumption and production,” includes a target- managing chemicals and all waste categories in their life cycles.
- 9. Appropriate management of plastic waste and the reduced release of MNPs will also address SDG 3, SDG 6; SDG 14, and SDG 15. The accumulation of MNPs in the environment owing to plastic waste mismanagement has become an undeniable problem worldwide. Concerted efforts have been made to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste to minimize plastic waste disposal. Policymakers must pay more consideration to this perilous subject and implement fitting environmental regulations to accomplish environmental sustainability.
- 10. Transition to a circular plastic economy is viewed as the cornerstone in ensuring a more sustainable future for plastic consumption. Explicit considerations of microplastic contamination are seldom considered in studies on the transition to a circular plastic economy. 1.Durability of new polymers 2. Recycled macroplastics should not result in an increased release of microplastics 3. The environmental fate of the polymers should be accounted for.
- 12. Thank you for caring to listen!