Multicolored plastic straws broken into smaller pieces.
Credit: FlyD/Unsplash

UK urged to act as microplastic pollution worsens in food, water, and air

Microplastics are infiltrating ecosystems and human bodies, yet scientists warn the UK is lagging behind other nations in tackling this growing environmental threat.

Helena Horton reports for The Guardian.


In short:

  • Microplastics, which now pollute the entire planet, have been detected in plants, animals, and humans, with possible links to strokes and heart attacks.
  • The University of Portsmouth’s Global Plastics Policy Centre has urged the UK government to set measurable targets, fund exposure research, and improve regulations, especially in agriculture and wastewater.
  • While the UK has banned microbeads in cosmetics, scientists are pushing for broader product design standards to minimize plastic shedding from textiles and other goods.

Key quote:

“Microplastic pollution represents a complex, transboundary policy challenge with implications for environmental health, public well-being, and long-term economic resilience.”

— Dr. Antaya March, director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre

Why this matters:

Microplastic pollution poses an escalating hazard not only to wildlife and ecosystems but also to human health. As plastics degrade, they release microscopic particles that permeate soil, water, air, and food chains. Studies have detected microplastics in organs and bloodstreams, though the full effects on human health remain uncertain. Research links these particles to cardiovascular issues and potential reproductive harm. Their pervasive spread — from the deepest oceans to mountaintops — complicates cleanup and regulatory efforts. Other regions, including the EU and U.S., are implementing stricter limits, but delays in adopting comprehensive policies could leave populations exposed to unknown long-term risks.

Related EHN coverage: How do microplastics impact our gut health?

About the author(s):

EHN Curators
EHN Curators
Articles curated and summarized by the Environmental Health News' curation team. Some AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight, fact checking and editing.

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