Microplastic pollution in India-Evidence of major health concern

Kolkar, Kiran P and Malabadi, Ravindra B and Chalannavar, Raju K and Swathi, Swathi and MS, Divakar and Karamchand, Kishore S and Kamble, Avinash A and Coronado, Karen Viviana Castaño and Munhoz, Antonia Neidilê Ribeiro (2025) Microplastic pollution in India-Evidence of major health concern. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 26 (1). pp. 1420-1436. ISSN 2581-9615

According to the new study published in Nature, India has secured the top spot as biggest plastic polluter in the world, releasing 9.3 million tonnes (Mt) annually. Plastic pollution remains a global challenge and this alarming trend of rising plastic waste in India has severe consequences for the environment, wildlife, and human health. The Indian government has launched initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to improve waste management, but more needs to be done to address the plight of waste pickers. Microplastics in water sources and food chains pose significant risks to human health, affecting the respiratory and reproductive systems and contributing to conditions like cancer. Studies link plastic pollution to an increased risk of cancer, male and female sterility, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Microplastic has been found in food and beverages. Microplastic are also found in disposable plastic cups for drinking and single-use food containers for home delivery of tea, coffee, and hot beverages. Hence it is recommended that avoid drinking tea, coffee and hot beverages in the plastic cups. Since microplastics do not degrade, those particles which enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation or touch, but are not excreted, can be expected to accumulate in tissues of the human body. Tissue accumulation of microplastics has been demonstrated in marine organisms and mammals. Additives to plastic of major health concern include toxic metals, such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and chromium, bisphenol A (BPA). phthalates, brominated flame retardants (BFR) and endocrine- disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The three main methods for detecting and quantifying microplastic concentrations in water are FTIR Spectroscopy, py-GC/MS, and Raman Spectroscopy.