Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces or plastic materials that are either round or irregular in shape and range in size from 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters. They can come from two sources: they may already be small when made (primary microplastics), or they may form after larger plastic items break down in the environment (secondary microplastics). Microplastics cause pollution because they enter natural environments from many places, such as makeup, clothing, building materials, food packaging, and industrial activities.

The term "microplastics" is used to describe these tiny particles, which are different from larger plastic waste that can be seen with the naked eye. Primary microplastics include small pieces like plastic fibers from clothes, tiny plastic beads, glitter, and plastic pellets (called nurdles). Secondary microplastics form when larger plastic items, such as water bottles, plastic bags, fishing nets, and tire particles, break down over time due to weathering.

Both types of microplastics remain in the environment for long periods, especially in water and ocean ecosystems, where they act as water pollution. They are also found in the air and on land. Tiny plastic particles have been found floating in the atmosphere and in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Since some plastics take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down, microplastics are often swallowed by animals and can build up in their bodies and tissues. On land, microplastics can harm soil ecosystems by reducing the health of soil life.

Over time, microplastics may break down into even smaller pieces called nanoplastics. Nanoplastics are a type of microplastic that are smaller than 1 micrometer (which is 1,000 nanometers). These are too small to see with the human eye.

Classification

The term "microplastics" was first used in a 2004 paper by Professor Richard Thompson, a marine biologist at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom. However, earlier examples of the term being used to describe marine pollution date back to the early 1990s and into the early 2000s. Evidence also shows that scientists who first used the term were studying the topic as early as the late 1980s.

Microplastics are common in the environment today. In 2014, scientists estimated that between 15 and 51 trillion individual pieces of microplastic exist in the world’s oceans. These pieces are believed to weigh between 93,000 and 236,000 metric tons. Over time, sunlight, wind, waves, and other factors cause plastic to break down into tiny fragments called microplastics or even smaller pieces called nanoplastics.

Primary microplastics are small plastic pieces intentionally made for specific uses. They are often found in facial cleansers, cosmetics, and air-blasting technology. Some are used in medicine to deliver drugs. Microplastic "scrubbers" in skincare products replace natural ingredients like ground almond shells and oatmeal. These scrubbers are also used in air-blasting technology to clean machinery and boat hulls. As they wear down, they may absorb heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, and lead. Many companies have reduced the use of microbeads, but some bioplastic microbeads still take a long time to break down, especially in cosmetics.

Secondary microplastics form when larger plastic items break down over time. This happens through physical, biological, and chemical processes, such as sunlight breaking down plastic. This breakdown process is called fragmentation. Scientists believe microplastics can shrink further, though the smallest detected in the ocean in 2017 was 1.6 micrometers (0.0000016 meters) in size. The uneven shapes of microplastics suggest fragmentation is a major source. Some studies suggest biodegradable plastics may create more microplastics than non-biodegradable ones in both seawater and freshwater.

Microplastic fibers enter the environment during the washing of synthetic clothing and the wear of tires. Tires, which contain synthetic rubber, wear down into tiny particles that become dust. Small plastic pellets used to make other products can also enter ecosystems through spills or accidents.

A 2015 report by the Norwegian Environment Agency suggested classifying microplastics as "primary" if they come directly from human activities, such as manufacturing or use of products, rather than from natural breakdown processes.

Nanoplastics are smaller than 1 micrometer (1,000 nanometers) or even 100 nanometers. Scientists are still studying their effects, but they may be a temporary byproduct of microplastic breakdown or a growing environmental risk. Nanoplastics have been found in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre. New tools like Raman spectroscopy and fluorescence methods may help measure nanoplastic levels in the future. A microfluidics method is also being developed to group nanoplastics for easier study.

Nanoplastics may harm the environment and human health. Their tiny size allows them to pass through cell membranes and disrupt cell function. They can mix with fats and enter the cell membranes of living organisms. In fish, nanoplastics may accumulate in organs like the brain and gallbladder. They may also interfere with bone cell activity, affecting bone growth. Little is known about their effects on humans, but studies on zebrafish show they can alter stress responses and hormone levels. In freshwater organisms like Daphnia, nanoplastics may harm growth and reproduction. They can also carry harmful chemicals, such as antibiotics, and spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria through soil.

Sources of microplastics

The presence of microplastics in the environment is often studied through research in water systems. Scientists collect samples of plankton, examine sand and mud from the bottom of water bodies, observe how animals eat microplastics, and study how microplastics interact with chemicals in water.

Microplastics are also found in the air. A 2017 report by the IUCN stated that microplastics are a major cause of pollution in the ocean. These tiny plastic pieces can absorb heavy metals from seawater.

Microplastics can enter land areas through several ways, such as the breakdown of plastic films used in farming, the use of compost or sewage sludge, and through rainwater, irrigation, and dust in the air. How microplastics spread in soil depends on how land is used, farming methods, and weather conditions.

Studies have found microplastics in soil even when no plastic was directly added, showing that microplastics can build up over time through many small sources.

The main way humans come into contact with microplastics is by eating them. Microplastics are found in everyday items like drinking water, bottled water, seafood, salt, sugar, tea bags, and milk.

In 2017, over eight million tons of plastic entered the ocean, more than 33 times the amount of plastic in the ocean by 2015. One result of this is that ocean animals eat microplastics. It is estimated that Europeans consume about 11,000 microplastic particles per person each year from eating shellfish.

Microplastics can get into drinking water in many ways, such as rainwater runoff, wastewater from homes and factories, and dust from the air. Rainwater and wastewater are the main sources, but more research is needed to better understand where microplastics come from. Plastic bottles and bottle caps have been confirmed as sources of microplastics in drinking water.

Microplastics are also found in soil, especially in farmland. They can move through plants from roots to leaves and fruits. If microplastics enter soil through compost, sewage, or plastic films used in farming, they can pollute food, increasing the risk of humans eating them. A 2023 study showed that microplastics can harm soil health and reduce crop growth by affecting soil microbes and water storage.

Many man-made fibers, like polyester, nylon, and spandex, can come off clothing during washing and stay in the environment. One piece of clothing can release over 1,900 microplastic fibers in a single wash, with fleeces releasing the most. A typical 6-kilogram laundry load can release over 700,000 fibers per wash.

Washing machine filters can help reduce the number of microfibers that go to wastewater treatment plants.

These microfibers are found throughout the food chain, from tiny sea animals to large animals like whales. Polyester, a common and inexpensive fabric, is the main type of fiber found in microplastics. Washing clothes releases over 100 fibers per liter of water, which may cause health issues from chemicals used in manufacturing. These fibers are found in 33% of indoor dust.

Studies have measured microfibers in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Indoor levels range from 1.0 to 60.0 fibers per cubic meter, while outdoor levels are much lower, from 0.3 to 1.5 fibers per cubic meter. Indoors, about 1,586 to 11,130 fibers settle each day per square meter, adding up to 190 to 670 fibers per milligram of dust.

Plastic containers can release microplastics and tiny particles into food and drinks.

In one study, 93% of bottled water from 11 brands had microplastics, averaging 325 particles per liter. Brands like Nestlé Pure Life and Gerolsteiner had the highest levels, with 930 and 807 particles per liter, respectively. San Pellegrino had the lowest levels. Bottled water had twice as many microplastics as tap water. A 2024 study found 240,000 microplastic fragments per liter, with 90% smaller than 1 micrometer.

Some microplastics may come from the bottling process or water purification filters.

In 2020, researchers found that baby bottles made of polypropylene can release microplastics when used with warm liquids, with exposure levels ranging from 14,600 to 4,550,000 particles per person per day in 48 regions. Similar issues occur with other polypropylene products like lunchboxes. In 2021, studies showed that silicone baby bottle nipples can break down over time, releasing microplastics when heated. A baby using such nipples for a year might ingest over 660,000 particles.

Single-use items like plastic cups or paper cups with plastic linings release trillions of microplastic particles into water during normal use. These items often end up in water systems. Policies that reduce single-use plastics are seen as effective ways to address plastic pollution.

Plastics are widely used in construction and renovation. Activities like building, repairing roads, or renovating homes can create airborne microplastic dust.

Materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, polypropylene, and acrylic can break down over time, releasing microplastics. During construction, single-use plastic items are often discarded, adding to waste. These plastics are hard to recycle and end up in landfills, where they slowly break down and may leach into soil or release microplastics into the air.

Because of the environmental harm caused by plastic waste in construction, better waste management is needed. While some research has explored using plastic waste in construction to reduce waste, this approach may cause new problems, such as microplastics leaching into the environment. More research is urgently needed in this area.

About 20% of all plastics and 70% of all polyvinyl chloride (PVC) produced worldwide each year are used in construction and other industries.

Exposure pathways

Airborne microplastics have been found in the atmosphere, as well as indoors and outdoors. These tiny plastic pieces can be carried by the wind to remote areas. A 2017 study found indoor airborne microfiber concentrations between 1.0 and 60.0 microfibers per cubic meter, with 33% of these fibers being microplastics. Another study examined street dust in Tehran and found 2,649 microplastic particles in 10 samples of street dust, with concentrations ranging from 83 to 605 particles per 30.0 grams of dust. Microplastics and microfibers were also found in snow samples and in "clean" air high in mountain regions far from their source. Like freshwater ecosystems and soil, more research is needed to understand the full impact of airborne microplastics.

A growing concern about plastic pollution in the ocean is the use of microplastics. Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than 5 millimeters wide, often found in hand soaps, face cleansers, and other exfoliating products. When these products are used, microplastics pass through water treatment systems and enter the ocean. Because they are so small, they often escape capture by wastewater treatment screens. These plastic pieces harm ocean organisms, especially filter feeders, which may accidentally eat the plastic and become sick. Microplastics are hard to clean up due to their size, so people can help by choosing products that use environmentally safe exfoliants instead of microplastics.

Because plastic is used widely around the world, microplastics are common in marine environments. For example, they are found on sandy beaches, in surface water, in the water column, and in deep sea sediment. Microplastics are also present in other marine particles, such as dead biological material (like tissue and shells) and soil particles carried by wind or rivers. Factors such as population density and proximity to cities are believed to influence how many microplastics are found in the environment.

Plastic pollution has been recorded in Antarctic surface waters, sediments, and Arctic sea ice. In 2009, plastic was first found in Antarctic sea ice, with 96 microplastic particles from 14 types of plastic in a sample taken from east Antarctica. The larger size of these particles suggests local pollution sources.

Microplastics are widely found in aquatic environments. A 2011 study found an average of 37.8 microplastic fragments per square meter of sediment in Lake Huron. Other studies have found microplastics in all of the Great Lakes, with an average concentration of 43,000 microplastic particles per square kilometer. Microplastics have also been found in freshwater ecosystems outside the United States, such as in a 2019 study in Poland, which found microplastics in all 30 lakes studied in the Masurian Lakeland, with concentrations ranging from 0.27 to 1.57 particles per liter. In Canada, a three-year study found an average of 193,420 microplastic particles per square kilometer in Lake Winnipeg. Most of the microplastics found were fibers from the breakdown of larger plastic items, synthetic clothing, or atmospheric fallout. The highest recorded concentration of microplastics in a freshwater ecosystem was found in the Rhine River, with 4,000 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment.

Researchers found microplastics in Richland Creek watershed in Western North Carolina. Ninety percent of the microplastics were fibers, likely from clothing, city runoff, and atmospheric deposition.

A significant amount of microplastics is expected to end up in soil, but few studies have focused on microplastics in soil outside of aquatic environments. In wetlands, microplastic concentrations are often lower where there is more vegetation. Some scientists suggest that fibers from washing machines might reach soil if water treatment plants fail to remove all microplastic fibers. Additionally, soil-dwelling animals like earthworms and mites may help break down plastic into microplastics through digestion. More research is needed. Studies have shown that organic waste materials used in soil can contain synthetic fibers, but most research on plastics in soil only notes their presence without details about their origin or quantity. Controlled studies on land-applied wastewater sludge (biosolids) showed that fibers could remain in soil for years after application.

A 2015 review of 15 brands of table salt sold in China found that sea salt contained more microplastics than lake, rock, or well salt. This is because sea salt is more likely to be contaminated by ocean pollution, while rock and well salt are often contaminated during production. A 2017 estimate suggests that a person who eats seafood may consume 11,000 microplastic particles each year. A 2019 study found 440 microplastic particles in a kilogram of sugar, 110 particles in a kilogram of salt, and 94 particles in a liter of bottled water.

Composition

The composition of microplastics is complex. A study in 2023 tested some fish species and found that "about 80% of the microplastics detected were fibrous in shape and were made of polyethylene (25%), polyester (20%), and polyamide (10%). Most microplastic particles observed were black (61%) or blue (27%) in color."

Microplastics contain two types of chemicals. The first type includes additives and raw materials used to make plastic. These additives help give plastic its color, transparency, and strength. They also help plastic resist damage from sunlight, heat, water, and other environmental factors. Examples of additives in microplastics include fillers, plasticizers, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, lubricants, dyes, and flame-retardants. The second type of chemicals comes from the environment around the microplastics.

Effects on the environment

In 2008, a group of scientists at the University of Washington at Tacoma concluded that microplastics were a problem in the ocean. They found that these tiny plastic pieces were present in the environment, stayed there for long periods, could increase over time, and were being eaten by ocean animals.

A detailed review of scientific research by the European Union in 2019 showed that microplastics were found everywhere in the environment. At that time, there was no clear evidence that microplastics were harming ecosystems widely, but scientists warned that if pollution continued, risks could become widespread in about 100 years.

By 2020, microplastics had been found in freshwater areas such as marshes, streams, lakes, and rivers in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia. In the United States, samples taken from 29 rivers that flow into the Great Lakes showed that 98% of the plastic particles were microplastics, with sizes ranging from 0.355mm to 4.75mm. Microplastics were also found in high mountain areas far from where they started.

In 2020, studies in China found plastics in ocean sediment layers that were much older than the invention of plastics. This suggests that earlier studies might have underestimated how much microplastics are present in the ocean.

In September 2021, Hurricane Larry moved over Newfoundland, Canada, and during the storm, it carried 113,000 microplastic particles per square meter each day. Scientists believe these microplastics came from the ocean, as the storm passed through the North Atlantic garbage patch. A similar study in China found that Typhoon Gaemi carried up to 12,722 microplastic particles per square meter each day in Ningbo, which was 54 times higher than normal levels in Beijing. This study showed that typhoons can pull microplastics from the ocean and carry them into the air through sea spray, spreading them inland.

By 2023, research on microplastic pollution had grown quickly, with most studies focusing on oceans and coastal areas. Scientists have called for more shared data to help find solutions.

A 2023 study identified a disease called plasticosis, which is caused by plastic being eaten by animals. This disease causes long-term changes in tissue and inflammation in the digestive systems of seabirds.

The long-term effects of plastic breaking down and releasing harmful chemicals have not been studied enough. Scientists refer to this as "toxicity debt," because large amounts of plastic in the environment will slowly break down and release toxins over many years.

Microplastics are tiny, smaller than 5 mm. These particles are available to all living things, enter the food chain at the bottom, and become part of animal tissues.

Microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics can be swallowed or inhaled by animals. Early experiments showed that animals can build up these particles in their bodies over time by eating or breathing them in. For example, certain types of worms and crabs have been found to have microplastics in their digestive and breathing systems. Fish often mistake microplastics for food, which can block their stomachs and send false signals to their brains about when they are full. However, a 2021 study found that fish do not intentionally eat microplastics but do so by accident. Scientists first discovered microplastics in wild animals in the skin of salmon, which happened by chance when they were studying fish skin to separate a substance called chitin.

A study along the Rio de la Plata estuary in Argentina found microplastics in the stomachs of 11 types of freshwater fish. These fish had different ways of eating, such as eating dead material, plankton, plants, or other fish. This study is one of the few to show that freshwater animals eat microplastics.

It can take up to 14 days for microplastics to pass through an animal’s body, compared to 2 days for normal digestion. However, if microplastics get stuck in an animal’s gills, they may not leave the body at all. When animals with microplastics are eaten by predators, the microplastics move up the food chain. For example, small fish called lanternfish, which are eaten by tuna and swordfish, have been found to have plastic in their stomachs. Microplastics can also absorb harmful chemicals, which then enter the bodies of animals. Small animals may eat less food because microplastics make them feel full, leading to starvation or physical harm.

Zooplankton, tiny water animals, eat microplastics and pass them out in their waste. Microplastics can also stick to their bodies. Zooplankton eat microplastics because they smell like chemicals produced by phytoplankton, such as dimethyl sulfide. Plastics like those used in plastic bags and food containers also release this same smell. Green and red plastic pieces have been found in plankton and seaweed.

Bottom feeders, such as sea cucumbers, eat a lot of sediment from the ocean floor. Studies showed that some sea cucumbers ate much more plastic than expected, which suggests they may choose to eat certain types of plastic. This challenges the idea that sea cucumbers eat everything they find.

Caddisfly larvae, which are freshwater insects that build protective cases, now use microplastics in their cases. In 2023, scientists found microplastics in caddisfly cases collected in 1971 and 1986, long before the term "microplastic" was used. These old samples help scientists study how microplastics have affected water ecosystems over time. A recent study in 2025 found that in some streams, more than half of all caddisfly cases contained microplastics.

Human health

Although scientists are still studying how microplastics affect human health, they can use models that show how the body absorbs tiny materials from industrial processes. Many lab and animal studies have found that microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics can harm the body by causing physical stress, cell damage, inflammation, and changes in how the body handles oxygen and immune responses. Microplastic pollution has been linked to health problems like breathing issues and inflammation, but it was unclear if these effects were directly caused by microplastics. These tiny plastics can build up in the brain, especially those made of polyethylene.

Microplastics often contain chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which can interfere with the body’s hormone system. These chemicals and the microplastics themselves can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, a system that controls male reproductive functions.

A study from Harvard found that microplastics are connected to problems like inflammation, cell death, and changes in the gut and hormone systems. Many studies have shown that microplastics can cause inflammation in the body. A lab study found that very small particles made of polystyrene, a low-toxicity material, can trigger inflammation because of their large surface area. Another study found signs of inflammation and debris in human joints from polyethylene used in prostheses, such as knee and hip replacements.

Lab studies have also shown that certain polystyrene nanoparticles can cause cell damage and changes in how cells process waste, depending on the situation. However, no major harm was seen in the livers, intestines, testes, lungs, hearts, spleens, or kidneys of mice after they were exposed to a mix of microplastics.

Recent research has shown that microplastics and nanoplastics can harm how cells use energy in both lab and animal studies. When human lung cells were exposed to 20 nm negatively charged carboxylated polystyrene nanoparticles, ion channels in the cells became active, causing changes in electrical currents. These particles also caused more ion movement out of the cells. In addition, 30 nm polystyrene nanoparticles led to the formation of large vesicle-like structures in macrophages and certain human cancer cells. These changes blocked the movement of proteins needed for cell division, leading to cells with two nuclei.

A report from Stanford Medicine stated that microplastics are common in the human body and have been found in babies through the placenta and breast milk. Microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in the brain, heart, and bodily fluids like urine. Early research suggests these particles may cause harm, as studies on animals and cells link them to inflammation, immune system issues, tissue damage, digestive problems, and breathing difficulties. A 2024 study found that people with microplastics in their artery plaque had a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death. Recent studies also show that exposure to microplastics can change how genes work, possibly leading to blood vessel diseases and long-term health issues.

Prevention

Some dust control methods include covering cutting areas with tarps, cutting materials inside protective tents, and using vacuum bags on power tools when working with materials like Trex and Azek. These measures are inexpensive. Street sweeping can help reduce pollution by collecting dirt and debris from construction, renovation, and rebuilding projects such as road tunnels, bridges, roads, and buildings.

Some scientists suggest burning plastic to create energy, a process called energy recovery. This method recovers energy from plastic that would otherwise be lost in landfills. However, unlike recycling, this process does not reduce the total amount of plastic produced. Recycling is seen as a more effective solution.

Biodegradation is another way to address microplastic waste. In this process, microorganisms use enzymes to break down synthetic plastics. Once broken down, these plastics can be used for energy or as a carbon source. These microbes might also help treat sewage wastewater, reducing the amount of microplastics that enter natural environments.

Removing microplastics through wastewater treatment plants is important to stop them from entering natural water systems. However, the sludge from these plants is often used as fertilizer, which can cause microplastics to enter waterways through runoff.

Fionn Ferreira, the 2019 Google Science Fair winner, is creating a device that uses ferrofluid to remove microplastics from water.

The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch organization, aims to remove 90% of ocean microplastics. However, many experts criticize this plan because it only targets large plastics (larger than 2 cm), which are not classified as microplastics. The plan is also considered impractical and unlikely to succeed due to engineering challenges and its limited depth of operation.

Some bacteria naturally break down plastic, and scientists have modified certain bacteria to eat specific types of plastic. Other microbes have been engineered to trap microplastics in their biofilm layers, making it easier to remove them. These microplastics can later be released using a special mechanism.

Absorption devices, such as sponges made of cotton and squid bones, may be useful for cleaning water in large projects.

Microplastics are hard to find because they are so small. Traditional methods include counting them under microscopes and identifying their type using a tool called Raman microspectrometry. Scientists have also engineered microbes to detect microplastics by producing a glowing protein.

However, methods to detect microplastics and nanoplastics are not fully standardized. Differences in how samples are collected and tested can affect results. For example, using larger mesh sizes during testing may miss smaller particles, leading to incorrect measurements. Variations in how samples are prepared can also cause differences in results between laboratories.

Educating people about recycling is another way to reduce microplastic pollution. While this is a smaller solution, it can help reduce littering, especially in cities with high plastic waste. Increasing recycling efforts would create a cycle of reuse, reducing waste and the need for new plastic production. To do this, governments would need better recycling systems and technology to recycle smaller plastics.

In April 2013, Italian artist Maria Cristina Finucci started The Garbage Patch State with UNESCO and the Italian Ministry of the Environment to raise awareness about plastic pollution.

In February 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began the "Trash-Free Waters" initiative to stop single-use plastics from entering waterways and oceans. By 2018, the EPA worked with the United Nations and the Peace Corps to reduce trash in the Caribbean Sea. The EPA also funded projects in the San Francisco Bay Area to cut the use of single-use plastics like cups, spoons, and straws on university campuses.

The Florida Microplastic Awareness Project (FMAP) is a group of volunteers who collect microplastics from coastal water samples. Many organizations support efforts to reduce microplastic pollution and raise awareness. Global efforts aim to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which seeks to prevent and reduce marine pollution by 2025.

The Clean Oceans Initiative, launched in 2018 by the European Investment Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and KfW Entwicklungsbank, aimed to provide up to €2 billion in funding by 2023 to reduce pollution in waterways. The project focuses on improving waste management in river and coastal areas. By 2023, the initiative had funded nearly €3.2 billion, helping over 20 million people in countries like Sri Lanka, China, Egypt, and South Africa. In 2022, the initiative increased its funding goal to €4 billion by 2025. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development joined the project in 2022, and by 2023, the program had spent €2.6 billion on 60 projects across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

Policy and legislation

Groups are working to remove and ban microplastics from products because they harm the environment. One group called "Beat the Microbead" helps remove plastics from personal care items like lotions and cleansers. Another group, the Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, runs a project called the Global Microplastics Initiative. This project collects water samples to help scientists learn more about how microplastics spread in the environment. UNESCO supports research and programs to study microplastic pollution because it affects many countries. These groups will continue to ask companies to stop using plastics in their products to protect ecosystems.

In 2018, China stopped accepting recyclable materials from other countries. This made other countries rethink their recycling systems. The Yangtze River in China is responsible for 55% of all plastic waste that reaches the ocean. Including microplastics, the river has an average of 500,000 plastic pieces per square kilometer.

In 2019, Scientific American reported that China contributes 30% of all plastic waste in the ocean.

The European Commission has studied the effects of microplastics on the environment. In April 2018, the European Commission asked scientists to review evidence about microplastic pollution. A group of scientists from European academies completed this review in January 2019. A report based on their findings was shared with the European Commission in 2019. The Commission will use this report to decide if new policies are needed to reduce microplastic pollution.

In January 2019, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) suggested limiting the use of microplastics in products.

The European Union produces about 10% of the world’s microplastics, or around 150,000 tons each year. This is about 200 grams of microplastics per person yearly, though amounts vary by region.

The European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan includes rules to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling. It also aims to stop adding microplastics to products. The plan requires steps to capture microplastics at all stages of a product’s life, such as reducing microplastics from tires and clothing. The Commission also plans to update laws about wastewater treatment and drinking water to monitor microplastics better.

A rule banning synthetic polymer microparticles took effect on October 17, 2023.

Haiti does not have a system to collect and treat waste. As a result, plastic waste is often dumped into urban water systems, where it breaks down into microplastics. Warm temperatures and long daylight hours in Haiti may speed up the breakdown of plastics. Plastic waste in Port-au-Prince Bay harms the environment and increases risks from ocean acidification.

In 2012, Haiti passed a law banning the production, import, sale, and use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers for food. Fourteen Caribbean countries have also banned single-use plastic bags and polystyrene containers.

In 2013, Haiti passed another law to ban polystyrene food containers. In 2018, officials announced that police would enforce these rules.

In 2024, Hong Kong started enforcing its first rules to limit plastic use. Campaigns encourage people to use reusable items instead of disposable ones. Stores cannot give customers plastic products like utensils or bags.

In 2018, Japan passed a law to reduce microplastic pollution, especially in water. The law focuses on personal care products like face wash and toothpaste. It also aims to teach people about recycling. However, the law does not punish companies that continue using microplastics.

In England, a 2017 law bans personal care products that contain microbeads, such as exfoliating lotions. Companies that break this law face fines. If fines are not paid, production may be stopped until the rules are followed.

In the United States, Illinois was the first state to ban microplastics in cosmetics in 2014. At the federal level, the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, signed by President Obama in 2015, banned microplastics in rinse-off products like face wash and toothpaste. This law started in 2017 for manufacturing and in 2018 for selling products. In 2020, California defined microplastics in drinking water to help study their effects on health.

In 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a law to reduce microplastics as part of the Save Our Seas Act. This law supports efforts to clean up plastic waste in the Great Lakes. President Trump signed the law into effect in 2018.

Studies debunk

Studies about microplastics have been questioned by many scientists, and some have been shown to be incorrect. Research on the amount of microplastics in brain tissue has been under close examination because fat in human tissue may be mistaken for the plastic polyethylene, leading to overestimations of microplastic levels. Fats in human tissue can also create fumes similar to those from polyethylene and PVC plastics, causing errors in special tests used to detect microplastics in organs. Small pieces from standard latex and nitrile gloves, which are coated with stearate salt, can rub off during testing. These pieces are similar in size and shape to microscopic polyethylene particles, which can trick infrared light techniques used to scan for microplastics. This may make tests show more plastic particles per square millimeter in examined organs than actually exist.