MICROPLASTICS
Microplastics pose a growing threat to ecosystems and human health. Discuss their impacts and measures to address them.
Model Answer
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.