The Burden of Microplastics Pollution and Contending Policies and Regulations

Abstract

The relationship between humans and plastics has become intricate due to their versatile nature and low production cost. Plastics generation has surpassed that of other manufactured products, which, coupled with the prevailing poor waste management systems, makes it a serious problem for the terrestrial and aquatic environments as its final destination. Their extensive presence has continued to pose a significant threat, not only to the aquatic ecosystem but also to the approximately 3 billion people relying on it for their livelihood. Even more disturbing were the recent findings of these plastics in food and drinking water and the evidence of human exposure, the long-term health effects of which are largely unknown. This ubiquitous phenomenon has over time put plastics under critical observation, leading to the development of many local and international policies, resolutions, and directives aimed at addressing and reversing the menace. This review provided the first snapshot of the global and local governance strategies currently aimed at mitigating plastic pollution, their limitations, and future directions. The findings of the review revealed several aspects of microplastics (MPs) pollution to be overlooked in policy formulation, a laxity in policy implementation, and an apparent lack of indices to ascertain the impact of the regulations. Furthermore, there is currently no regulation on MPs contamination of food and drinking water and an apparent lack of funding for research into the health effects of plastics and their alternatives. This, therefore, necessitates the need for a well-coordinated approach at international and national levels to scale up these policies in all countries and translate them from paper to measurable, holistic, and realizable actions that will address all forms of plastic pollution.

Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review

“…Signatory countries have committed to ban microplastics, cosmetics and rinse-off products and reduce the use of plastic bags. This Alliance aims to collaborate with big brands in order to reach the proposed goals in the shortest possible time but also through the most effective means [ 280 , 281 ].…”

Microplastics as an Emerging Threat to the Global Environment and Human Health

“…There are several policies and initiatives at the national and international levels that are aimed at reducing microplastic pollution. At the international level, the United Nations has taken action to address microplastic pollution through its Clean Seas campaign that targets to remove foremost sources of oceanic plastic and microplastic pollution [145]. The campaign focuses on promoting the reduction and elimination of single-use plastics, improving waste management, and increasing public awareness [145,146].…”

“…At the international level, the United Nations has taken action to address microplastic pollution through its Clean Seas campaign that targets to remove foremost sources of oceanic plastic and microplastic pollution [145]. The campaign focuses on promoting the reduction and elimination of single-use plastics, improving waste management, and increasing public awareness [145,146]. In Europe, the European Union has implemented a ban on microplastics in personal care products, such as toothpaste and face wash [147,148].…”

La problemática de los micro y nanoplásticos en las costas americanas del Océano Pacífico

“…Para ese mismo año, se publica también un documento recopilatorio de políticas y regulaciones a nivel mundial sobre la polución de microplásticos, principalmente (Usman et al, 2022). Esta revisión provee las estrategias de gobernanza global y local, actualmente destinadas a mitigar la contaminación plástica, sus limitaciones y direcciones futuras.…”

“…También indica que no existe una regulación sobre la contaminación de los alimentos y el agua potable por parte de los MP, lo cual se puede extender a los NP; tanto como una aparente falta de financiamiento para la investigación sobre los efectos de los plásticos en la salud y sus alternativas. El documento concluye indicando la necesidad de un enfoque bien coordinado a todo nivel, de tal forma que permita ampliar las políticas en todos los países, y llevarlas del papel a acciones medibles, holísticas y realizables en beneficio de la humanidad y su entorno (Usman et al, 2022).…”