Introduction

Microplastics are plastic particles generally smaller than 5 mm, arising from both manufactured products and the breakdown of larger plastics.

Key Impacts

• Ecological: Ingestion → digestive blockage + pseudosatiety → nutritional stress.
• Food chain: Carry Persistent Organic Pollutants + heavy metals → ecosystem contamination.
• Human health: Chemical additives such as Bisphenol A + phthalates may cause endocrine and reproductive concerns.
• Antimicrobial Resistance: Plastisphere can facilitate exchange of Antibiotic Resistance Genes.
• Blue economy: Contamination of fisheries → livelihood + trade risks.

Measures

• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 + 2025 → regulation + traceability.
• Extended Producer Responsibility → recycled-content targets + producer accountability.
• United Nations Global Plastics Treaty → global life-cycle approach.
• Promote plastic reduction + circular economy + better waste management + monitoring.

Conclusion

A source-to-sea approach → reduce plastic use + prevent leakage + improve recycling is essential to control microplastic pollution.