INTRODUCTION: –
Micro-plastics, they’re in our oceans, our food, the air that we breathe, even in our blood. These are the tiny particles, which are typically smaller than 5 millimeters, that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. Plastic is something, that can be found in our homes, either in the form of poly-ethene to carry the items or even bottles and containers to hold food items and water, which in a way increases the risk of our food be contaminated, as a result of interaction with the substances of food items, posing an increasing health risk. The increasing presence of micro-plastics in the environment is causing serious pollution worldwide, mainly because of its characteristics, i.e., it is a synthetic material with high polymer content, solid particles smaller than 5mm, and its insolubility in water is what makes it easier to be introduced in the environment and persist there for a long time.
WHAT ARE MICROPLASTICS AND WHY ARE THEY DANGEROUS: –
In an era marked by developments, growing environmental concerns are often a topic of concern for most of the countries around the globe. Micro-plastics have emerged to be a huge problem, from the food we consume to the things of everyday utility, they are present everywhere, which poses a big question regarding how to handle such a menace, especially when they are of such a minute size, and its presence will only increase because of the lifestyle adopted by many of us.
Plastic debris is highly prevalent and is mostly found in in the marines, and it can be found in various sizes and shapes, one such are the ones that are up to 5 mm and inescapable in nature, i.e., Microplastics. An estimated 10 to 40 million metric tons of these particles are released into the environment every year, and it is estimated that by 2040 this amount may be doubled[1]. Concerns have been raised, as the public have been alarmed about the health effects of micro-plastics being present in the tea bags, food we eat, bottles we carry. Not only that, even the scientists have estimated that the adults consume about “one credit card” per week, because of our lifestyle choices.
One such type of micro-plastics is the ‘Micro-beads’, which are hardly visible through the naked eyes, and they are generally found in the cosmetic products, like the rinse-off cosmetic products, personal care or even cleaning products. Micro-beads, however, is not a problem that has emerged just now and as per the United Nations Environment Programme, these micro-beads were first discovered in cosmetic products about 50 years ago. Micro-beads are present in the cosmetic products in different percentages, somewhere it may be 1% and, in some products, it may be up to 90%, for e.g.- in shower gels, it can roughly contain as much micro plastic as was used to make the whole plastic packaging of that shower gel[2].
The main issue is, even after proactively working and raising awareness regarding the already existing heavy load of environmental concerns, how did we lack behind in the case of Micro-plastics, the answer is quite forwardly, the inadequate management. The inadequate management of the plastic waste has led to an increased contamination of the freshwater and marine environments. An analysis was conducted by WHO in the year 2019 that focused on the health risks and mitigation of micro-plastics, particularly in drinking water. Studies have reported the presence of micro-plastics even in treated tap water as well as bottled water, which raises serious questions about the impact that micro-plastics have on the human health daily[3].
GLOBAL LEGAL APPROACHES TO MICROPLASTIC REGULATION: –
Environmental degradation is not a liability of any one country, but the world at large, it is not just the act of one or two countries that creates a global impact in environment related concerns, but the world at a large, hence, when efforts have to be taken to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation, that shall also be taken by the world at large. Currently, global efforts to regulate micro-plastics involve diverse legal approaches including restrictions on addition of micro-plastics in products, improved waste management, and the development of a global treaty to address plastic pollution.
The EU (European union) is leading in restricting micro-plastics in products, while many other countries focus on monitoring and research. In 2023, the European Commission adopted a REACH restriction on micro-plastics intentionally added to products and a proposal for a regulation of micro-plastics. Prime objectives of the EU are that it aims to reduce micro-plastic releases by 30% by 2030. This will be achieved by – reducing plastic pollution, restricting the use of intentionally added micro-plastics to the products and reducing the unintentional micro-plastic releases
NATIONAL EFFORTS FOR MICROPLASTICS REGULATION: –
In India, the management of Plastic waste is handled and scrutinized by the way of Plastic Waste Management Rules.[4] It was established with a view to improve the management of plastic waste in India. It aims to work towards minimization of plastic waste generation, ensure proper segregation of the waste and promote recycling and reuse of the plastic waste. Because, it has often been highlighted that a major reason for the increase in micro-plastics have often been the increase in plastic usage and improper handling of the plastic waste, hence, other than anything one of the major things to be tackled is the plastic waste generation and it’s efficient handling. The Plastic Waste Management rules, 2016 aim to achieve this by mandating waste generators to minimize waste, segregate at source and also hand over the segregated waste to authorized agencies.Plastic waste management rules often fail due to weak enforcement, poor infrastructure, and limited public awareness. Key gaps include inadequate monitoring, ineffective EPR implementation, and unregulated informal sectors. Strengthening enforcement, aligning policies with global standards, and promoting sustainable practices are essential to improve effectiveness and reduce environmental harm. Hence, in India, in one way or the other, the micro-plastics are handled through a combination of policies, regulations and initiatives focused on proper waste management and promoting sustainable practices.
CONCLUSION: –
Micro-plastics pose serious threats to ecosystems, human health, and food security, yet current regulations are often fragmented and inadequate. Micro-plastics are emerging as a global environmental and public health concern, with increasing evidence of their presence in water, food, and ecosystems. Authoritative reports such as the WHO’s Micro-plastics in Drinking-Water[5] highlight that while current levels in drinking water may not pose immediate health risks, the lack of comprehensive data and standardized testing underscores the urgent need for further research. The FAO’s Micro-plastics in Food Commodities[6] reinforces this by identifying knowledge gaps in dietary exposure and calling for harmonized food safety assessments.Addressing this complex issue requires action at every level. The UNEP and IWMI report, Water Pollution by Plastics and Micro-plastics: A Review of Technical Solutions from Source to Sea[7], provides practical, scalable interventions aimed at preventing micro plastic pollution through improved waste management, treatment systems, and regulatory frameworks. Similarly, the UNEP Technical Report on Marine Plastic Debris and Micro-plastics offers a broader perspective on global policy and research priorities, reinforcing the need for coordinated international action[8]. Together, these reports emphasize a clear message: while the science on micro-plastics is still evolving, the risks warrant proactive governance, targeted research, and sustainable solutions to mitigate exposure and protect environmental and human health across the globe. A coordinated global response is essential, including standardized definitions, targeted regulations, and extended producer responsibility. Key steps forward include developing an international treaty on plastic pollution, integrating micro plastic controls into national policies, enhancing research and monitoring, raising public awareness, and promoting industry innovation. Supporting sustainable materials and improving filtration and recycling technologies are also critical. A science-based, multi-stakeholder approach is vital to effectively manage micro plastic pollution and ensure long-term environmental and public health protection.
Author(s) Name: Shweta Srivastava (Trinity Institute of Professional Studies, Affiliated to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University)
References:
[1] Katia Savchuk, ‘What’s the deal with Microplastics, the material that ‘never goes away’?’ (Stanford Report, 29 January 2025) <https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/01/what-s-the-deal-with-microplastics-the-material-that-never-goes-away> accessed 23 July 2025
[2] UNEP, ‘What’s in your bathroom? The hidden plastics in your beauty products’ (12 November 2019) <https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/whats-your-bathroom-hidden-plastics-your-beauty-products>accessed 24 July 2025
[3] ‘Microplastics in Drinking Water’ <https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241516198> accessed 24July 2025
[4] Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
[5] World Health Organization, Micro-plastics in Drinking-Water (WHO 2019)< https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789241516198 > accessed 20 August 2025.
[6] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Micro-plastics in Food Commodities: A Food Safety Review on Human Exposure through Dietary Sources (FAO 2022) <https://www.fao.org/food-safety/news/news-details/en/c/1609239 >accessed 20 August 2025.
[7] United Nations Environment Programme and International Water Management Institute, Water Pollution by Plastics and Micro-plastics: A Review of Technical Solutions from Source to Sea (UNEP and IWMI 2020) <https://www.unep.org/resources/report/water-pollution-plastics-and-microplastics-review-technical-solutions-source-sea> accessed 20 August 2025.
[8] United Nations Environment Programme, Marine Plastic Debris and Micro-plastics: Global Lessons and Research to Inspire Action and Guide Policy Change (UNEP/EA.2/INF/23) (UNEP 2016) <https://www.unep.org/resources/report/unepea2inf23technical-report-marine-plastic-debris-and-microplastics-global> accessed 20 August 2025.
