Britain admits defeat in fight against deadly microplastic pollution

Scientists say the UK is lagging behind in the fight against microplastic pollution. Researchers are calling for urgent action as plastic fragments found even in the human brain are contaminating food, water and air.

The UK is lagging behind international efforts to tackle microplastics as pollutants continue to seep into food, ecosystems and human bodies, scientists say, The Guardian reports.

Tiny plastic fragments have been found in male testicles and the human brain, and they migrate into plants, inhibiting their ability to photosynthesize. The effects on human health are largely unknown, but they have been linked to strokes and heart attacks.

Microplastics are formed from plastic waste and pollute the entire planet, from the top of Everest to the depths of the oceans. People consume tiny particles of plastic through food, water and by breathing them in, writes The Guardian.

Scientists warn that the UK is lagging behind the EU and US, which are already introducing mandatory targets and limits on microplastics in areas such as wastewater and drinking water.

Experts have called on UK ministers to develop a comprehensive approach to reducing pollution that includes targets to eliminate sources of microplastics, as well as funding research to establish safe thresholds for microplastic exposure and identify key measures to improve neglected areas such as soil and air quality.

Dr Anthaya March, Director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre at the University of Portsmouth, comments: “Microplastic pollution is a complex, cross-border policy issue with implications for environmental health, societal wellbeing and long-term economic sustainability. Its diffuse sources and persistence across ecosystems require a coordinated and forward-looking response. The fact that evidence is still emerging should not be a reason to delay action. A national roadmap, informed by international developments, is not only timely but essential to ensure policy coherence and future readiness.”

Scientists have recommended that the UK government develop a roadmap with measurable targets and timelines to tackle the microplastic problem. They also call for interventions in high-emitting sectors such as agriculture. Sewage sludge containing high concentrations of microplastics is spread on fields as fertiliser, while plastic-based mulches contribute to widespread soil pollution.

There is currently a ban on cosmetics using microbeads in the UK, but scientists said the tiny plastics needed to be recognised and developed separately from other products, including setting design standards for clothing and other textiles to reduce shedding.

Professor Faye Couceiro, from the University of Portsmouth’s Microplastics Research Group, said: “Microplastic pollution is a growing threat with potentially irreversible consequences. Without decisive action, the UK’s environmental protection and global leadership will be jeopardised, with potential negative impacts on public health. Implementing robust, forward-looking microplastics policies is urgent and essential to protect us, our environment and our economy.”