Latest news with #UNGlobalPlasticsTreaty
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Microplastics. Not just bottles. Here's what we should fret about
This week, the world is coming together to thrash out an agreement on the UN Global Plastics Treaty. In a world where plastic production is exponential increasing, this is crucial. Plastics and particularly microplastics, into which these useful and adaptable materials break down, are of increasing concern, and contributing to a global plastic pollution crisis. At the heart of the concern are microplastics, small pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in diameter. They vary widely in terms of the chemicals associated with them – making assessing their health impact and risk difficult. Increasingly they are everywhere from the placenta of unborn babies to the Arctic - and it's the plastic waste sources we don't talk about that most worry me. But what is the problem with them? And what do we actually know about their impact on human and planetary health? 1. Research is starting to show microplastic impact on human health It's still early days in research terms. As the European Environment Agency has put it, 'While much data is available on the presence of microplastics in the environment, knowledge on the health impacts of microplastics is currently lacking.' But the evidence is gradually building. A recent US study, for instance, found both microplastics and nanoplastics in higher concentrations in placentas from premature births than in those births that went to full term. Last week The Lancet launched an independent, indicator-based global monitoring system: titled the Lancet Countdown on health and plastics. 'Plastics,' the Lancet report said, 'cause disease and death from infancy to old age and are responsible for health-related economic losses exceeding US$1·5 trillion [£1.1 trillion] annually. These impacts fall disproportionately upon low-income and at-risk populations.' In a series of letters published last week, titled Act Boldly or Fail, scientists called for 'legally binding targets to cap and reduce plastic production and the phase-out of toxic additives and chemicals in plastics'. They reminded negotiators that the costs of inaction are not abstract, but "can be counted in cancers, reproductive harms, and respiratory conditions". Dr Cressida Bowyer, Deputy Director of the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth, said: 'There is clear and growing evidence that plastic poses serious risks to human health. Yet the approach to health protection in the treaty still hangs in the balance. In order to operationalise the global plastics treaty objective to 'protect human health and the environment from plastic pollution' the treaty must directly address human health impacts in the core obligations of the treaty.' 2. In the UK we use, and produce more plastic per capita than average According to EHA, the global average consumption of short-life plastic per person per year is 20.9 kilograms, but the average plastic consumption per capita in the UK is 31.1 kilograms. Research by The Big Plastic Count has shown that households are throwing away 1.7 billion pieces of plastic a week—amounting to 90 billion pieces a year. 3. Less than 10% of plastic globally is recycled That's the figure calculated by an OECD report published earlier in 2022. And in the UK, that rate is looking like 17%. 4. The problem is still growing exponentially. As the Lancet puts it, production has increased 'from 2 megatonnes (Mt) in 1950, to 475 Mt in 2022 that is projected to be 1200 Mt by 2060.' Alongside that, pollution has risen, with now 8000Mt of plastic waste polluting the planet. 5. Microplastic concentrations are rising in Scotland's seas Marine Scotland data, obtained in a freedom of information request by the Ferret last year, revealed that the highest concentration of microplastics found in Scotland was in a sample taken from the Solway Firth, where surface water was estimated to contain 210,891 microplastics per square kilometre. It was also nearly two and a half times higher than the largest sample taken previously in the firth in 2016. Large concentrations of microplastics in waters were also found south of Tiree (106,453 microplastics per square kilometre), off the East Lothian coast near Dunbar, (81,982 per square kilometre) and in the North Sea oil and gas area of Long Forties (36,304 microplastics in a sample). Winds of Change on microplastics (Image: Derek McArthur) 6. We've banned some single-use plastic products – but still new items keep coming along We can celebrate the successes of banning cotton buds and plastic straws, but these plastic items are just the tip of the plastic-berg, with new single-use products always coming on the market, and eventually, hitting our shorelines and landfills. Just last week an open letter called for the banning of the latest single-use scourge, the disposable dental flosser. 7. Microplastics are entering our soil through sewage sludge One way in which microplastics are entering the environment is via sewage sludge spread on farmland. A study, carried out by the James Hutton Institute and Robert Gordon University, found the prevalence of microplastics in soil was more than 15 times its initial level after four years of sewage sludge application on a farm in North Lanarkshire. The study also found that the number of microplastics in the soil remained relatively unchanged 22 years after application. 8. They are in our food A University of Catania study found them in a wide range of vegetables, including lettuce, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, apples, and pears, with apples and carrots showing the highest levels. They are also in the fish we eat. A US peer-reviewed study detected microplastics in 99%, or 180 out of 182, samples of seafood in Oregon. 9. They are in our brains Research, which looked into postmortem samples from brains spanning a period between 1997 and 2024 found that levels were increasing. 10. Our clothes are a major source We think about plastic bottles, but we don't think enough about the microfibres leaking from our plastic clothes. A University of Leeds report found that UK laundry generates up to 17,847 tonnes of microfibres each year (243g per person), weighing the equivalent of 'around 1,500 double-decker buses'. 11. But so is this rarely talked about microplastic source But, what's not talked about nearly enough – it sometimes feels as if there is an omerta around the subject – is the biggest source of intentionally produced microplastics, the rubber crumb infill found on artificial turf pitches. This crumb in the UK is chiefly produced from end-of-life tyres. Earlier this year, Defra published an evidence project report that stated that artificial sports pitches are the main source of intentionally added microplastic pollution in the UK. According to the Scottish environmental charity, Fidra, 'Each year, thousands of tonnes of microplastics are lost during their use (mainly playing football but also other sports), maintenance, and disposal, ultimately ending up in our drains, soils, rivers, and eventually wildlife. Though the EU had already announced a crumb rubber ban in 3G pitches to come fully into force in 2013, the UK has not yet followed suit. Responding to the DEFRA report, Professor Andrew Watterson of University of Stirling, criticised the delay. 'The Defra report provided all UK governments with a two year delay on taking similar action to the EU if it wished to follow their lead.' 'It now looks as if those governments will send the report out for wider consultation and further delay." Prof Watterson said that report appeared geared 'in many respects to weight economic factors highly and downplays externalised costs to wider 'society', sustainability and the need for an effective circular economy". He believes a phase out of 3G rubber crumb pitches is 'necessary and quite feasible'. 12. Recycling may be exacerbating the microplastic problem Research carried out by Strathclyde University found that the chopping, shredding and washing of plastic in a recycling facility resulted in wastewater. If the results are more widely representative, that would mean that as much as six to 13 percent of incoming waste may be being turned into microplastics.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ahead of signing of world's first plastics treaty, Lancet launches project to monitor health impacts
New Delhi: An international group of researchers and experts has launched an initiative aimed at tracking health impacts due to plastics, ahead of the final negotiations before the signing of the world's first treaty on regulating the chemical substances. Titled 'The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics', the launch accompanies the release of a 'Health Policy', which is published in 'The Lancet' journal and a review of currently available evidence on how plastics -- including microplastics and plastic chemicals -- affect human health. The team of experts, including members of the United Nations (UN)-established Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, have authored the 'Health Policy' document. The ' UN Global Plastics Treaty ' is a legally binding document aimed to regulate plastics through their life cycle from production to consumption to disposal. The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee -- titled 'INC 5.2' -- is scheduled for August 5 to 14, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. The first part took place in Busan, South Korea, in November-December 2024. In 'The Lancet' document, the team of experts point to projections of plastic production, which is expected to triple by 2060, should the current trends continue. Describing the evidence of how an exposure to plastics at any stage of its life cycle -- production, use or disposal -- can endanger one's health, the experts said emissions during production add PM2.5 particles to the air, thereby contributing to pollution. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, along with hazardous chemicals, are also released, to which workers are exposed, the experts added. The team also pointed to a lack of transparent communication regarding the constituents and toxicity of plastics. Studies have found microplastics in tissues obtained from humans' brains and reproductive organs, among other body parts, indicating the pervasive nature of the materials. Microplastics have been consistently associated with higher cardiovascular and neurological risks, even as evidence in this regard continues to emerge. The experts said that while more research is needed to understand the relationship of plastics with potential health impacts, "a precautionary approach is warranted." They added that nearly 60 per cent of unmanaged, untreated plastic waste is estimated to be burned in the open and is a major source of air pollution in low- and middle-income countries. The review also found evidence of how plastic waste can provide an environment for mosquitoes to lay eggs and enable growth of micro-organisms, which go on to spread vector-borne diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial, or antibiotic, resistance occurs when disease-causing microbes have become immune to the very drugs designed to kill them, thereby rendering the drugs ineffective in treating a disease. It is said to contribute towards prolonging the duration of a patient's hospital admission, raising treatment costs and burdening healthcare systems, especially in places where resources are already stressed. The newly launched Lancet Countdown "will identify and track a series of indicators that document the impacts of plastics and plastic chemicals on human health across all stages of the plastic life cycle", with the first report expected in mid-2026, the authors said.
India Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Global push to curb plastic pollution: Can Geneva talks deliver a treaty?
Plastics have become deeply embedded in our daily lives, with global production reaching a staggering 460 million tonnes annually. Nearly as much waste is generated, 353 million tonnes, raising alarm bells amongst experts who warn that this figure could triple by 2060, bringing with it immense environmental a renewed effort to combat this crisis, delegates from over 170 countries are convening in Geneva, Switzerland, from August 5 to 14, to draft a legally binding global treaty on plastic meeting follows the failed negotiations of the 2024 UN Global Plastics Treaty, where countries could not agree on a unified Pollution: A Mounting Environmental Crisis Plastic is responsible for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a footprint greater than that of the aviation and shipping industries combined. Oceans are already bearing the brunt of this pollution. A recent study reveals that the upper layers of the North Atlantic alone contain 27 million tonnes of tiny particles are now pervasive, not just in water but also in soil, crops, animals, and even human blood. Their ability to bioaccumulate, gradually build up in living organisms, makes them particularly dangerous, contributing to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Observers noted greater clarity on 'red lines' regarding plastic production limits. (Photo: Getty) High Stakes in Geneva: Will the World Unite?Dr. Melanie Bergmann of the Alfred Wegener Institute emphasised the significance of the upcoming talks:'Ideally, we will achieve in Geneva that the global community, or at least large parts of it, commit to a strong agreement that is based on scientific facts and recognises how harmful plastic is to humans and nature.'However, during the last round of negotiations in December 2024 in Seoul, efforts to reach a consensus collapsed. While Latin American, African, and several EU countries pushed for strict controls, they faced resistance from oil-producing nations, Canada, the U.S., and India—all of which have economic stakes tied to petroleum, a key raw material in plastic production. Despite the stalemate, observers noted greater clarity on 'red lines' regarding plastic production limits and chemical Bergmann added, 'The delegations must use diplomacy to bring their positions closer together, despite geopolitical tensions and differing interests, to create a basis for successful cooperation.'The Path Forward: Cut at the SourceTo effectively address plastic-related emissions, experts say production must be cut by 12–17% each year. Dr. Bergmann stressed the importance of upstream intervention:'Scientific calculations show that effective measures must start at the production level. We should limit production to unavoidable applications, reduce chemical diversity from the design stage, and phase out substances of concern.'A Treaty Within Reach?The road ahead will require science-driven decisions, political will, and global cooperation. If nations can put the planet over profit, a binding agreement may finally emerge, offering hope in the fight against one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.- EndsMust Watch
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Business Standard
04-08-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Lancet launches project to track health impact ahead of plastics treaty
An international group of researchers and experts has launched an initiative aimed at tracking health impacts due to plastics, ahead of the final negotiations before the signing of the world's first treaty on regulating the chemical substances. Titled 'The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics', the launch accompanies the release of a 'Health Policy', which is published in 'The Lancet' journal and a review of currently available evidence on how plastics -- including microplastics and plastic chemicals -- affect human health. The team of experts, including members of the United Nations (UN)-established Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, have authored the 'Health Policy' document. The 'UN Global Plastics Treaty' is a legally binding document aimed to regulate plastics through their life cycle from production to consumption to disposal. The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee -- titled 'INC 5.2' -- is scheduled for August 5 to 14, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. The first part took place in Busan, South Korea, in November-December 2024. In 'The Lancet' document, the team of experts point to projections of plastic production, which is expected to triple by 2060, should the current trends continue. Describing the evidence of how an exposure to plastics at any stage of its life cycle -- production, use or disposal -- can endanger one's health, the experts said emissions during production add PM2.5 particles to the air, thereby contributing to pollution. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, along with hazardous chemicals, are also released, to which workers are exposed, the experts added. The team also pointed to a lack of transparent communication regarding the constituents and toxicity of plastics. Studies have found microplastics in tissues obtained from humans' brains and reproductive organs, among other body parts, indicating the pervasive nature of the materials. Microplastics have been consistently associated with higher cardiovascular and neurological risks, even as evidence in this regard continues to emerge. The experts said that while more research is needed to understand the relationship of plastics with potential health impacts, "a precautionary approach is warranted." They added that nearly 60 per cent of unmanaged, untreated plastic waste is estimated to be burned in the open and is a major source of air pollution in low- and middle-income countries. The review also found evidence of how plastic waste can provide an environment for mosquitoes to lay eggs and enable growth of micro-organisms, which go on to spread vector-borne diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial, or antibiotic, resistance occurs when disease-causing microbes have become immune to the very drugs designed to kill them, thereby rendering the drugs ineffective in treating a disease. It is said to contribute towards prolonging the duration of a patient's hospital admission, raising treatment costs and burdening healthcare systems, especially in places where resources are already stressed. The newly launched Lancet Countdown "will identify and track a series of indicators that document the impacts of plastics and plastic chemicals on human health across all stages of the plastic life cycle", with the first report expected in mid-2026, the authors said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
North Wales Chronicle
18-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Discarded clothes from UK brands found in protected Ghana wetlands
The campaign group's investigative unit Unearthed and its Africa branch gathered stills and footage of discarded clothes at a huge new dumpsite growing in a protected nature site which is home to rare birds and turtle species. The team found garments discarded by UK consumers from high street brands in areas at or close to two open-air waste dumps that recently appeared inside the Densu Delta – designated as a habitat of 'international importance' under the Convention on Wetlands. One of the dumps, Glefe, has been established for four years, according to Google Earth historical images, and looms taller than a two-storey building in places. The second, Akkaway is less than a year old but rapidly expanding, Greenpeace said. Clothes from Zara, H&M and Primark were also found at a third dump on a riverbank outside the nature reserve, from where fashion waste often floats downstream, polluting the wetlands. The campaigners said they are concerned about the impact of microplastics and chemicals released from the textiles waste on the local wildlife. Meanwhile, local communities say their fishing nets, waterways and beaches are clogged with synthetic fast fashion exported to Ghana from the UK and Europe, they said. Ghana is the world's largest importer of used clothing, with 15 million items of discarded garments arriving each week, according to Greenpeace research. Meanwhile, UN trade data shows the UK sent 57,000 tonnes of fashion waste to Ghana last year – more than to any other country except the United Arab Emirates. This overspill has overwhelmed Ghana's capital city Accra, resulting in new waste dumps appearing just outside, Greenpeace said. The Densu Delta provides a habitat for birds such as rare roseate terns, which migrate from the UK, and curlew sandpipers, which visit from the Arctic tundra. The endangered leatherback and green turtles lay their eggs on the conservation area's beach, as does the olive ridley turtle, known for nesting en masse on the same beach where it hatched, local wildlife experts say. Laura Burley, Greenpeace UK's plastic campaigner, said: 'It's heartbreaking to see a protected nature site turning into a waste dump because of our addiction to fast fashion. 'A dress designed to be worn just once or twice before being thrown away could pose a threat to rare birds and marine turtles in these protected wetlands for decades to come, while also harming people's livelihoods. 'And with the majority of these garments made of plastic fibres, our throwaway clothes are adding to the plastic pollution choking our oceans. 'The UK Government should force fashion retailers to take some responsibility for the waste they create while backing strong targets to cut plastic production in the UN Global Plastics Treaty.' Dr Jones Quartey, a wetland ecologist at the University of Ghana, told Unearthed that disposing of textiles in wetlands could cause irreparable harm. 'This is dangerous – more so when we don't know what chemicals are in the textile waste,' he said. 'The bioaccumulation and biomagnification of microplastics in aquatic organisms and humans could pose risks such as physical damage, chemical exposure and disruption of biological processes.' When contacted by Unearthed, the fashion labels acknowledged that the industry faces challenges around processing textile waste. M&S, George and Primark said they run 'take-back' schemes to help address the issue while H&M, Zara and George said they would support an extended producer responsibility framework to hold labels accountable for their products' end-of-life impact. An H&M spokesperson said: 'While this is an industry-wide challenge, we acknowledge our role in contributing to the problem, notably when our products reach markets with inadequate or no waste management or recycling infrastructures. 'We will continue to strengthen our strategy and actions for end-of-life textiles and interact with relevant stakeholders.' An M&S spokesperson said: 'M&S does not send excess clothing to any other country or landfill. 'We take our responsibility to provide end of life options for our clothes seriously and offer our customers options to give their clothes another life with our recently launched repair service by Sojo, and with our in-store take back recycling schemes with partners such as Oxfam for clothing and Handle for beauty products, as part of our Plan A to reduce our impact on the planet.' An Environment Department spokesperson said: 'Our Plan for Change is focused on cleaning up Britain and ensuring that the £4.5 billion worth of clothes we currently throw away are kept in use for longer. 'Fashion should not come at the cost of our natural environment, and textiles is one sector where our Circular Economy Taskforce aims to end our throwaway society for good.'
