Plastic Problem Is Personal

Explore the pervasive plastic problem in India and its health impacts. Learn about microplastics in food, water, and air, and discover ways to combat this issue.

Nachiket Acharya

• 4 min read
Plastic Problem Is Personal

The plastic problem in India is not just an issue for local authorities; it’s personal. Did you know that India generates 200,000 metric tons of plastic every day? Unfortunately, only 8% of this plastic gets recycled. In contrast, European countries have much higher recycling rates. For example, Germany recycles 65% of its plastic, and some smaller European countries have even higher rates. India has a lot to catch up on.

To understand why India’s recycling rate is low, we first need to recognize why the plastic problem is personal. It affects your health. Plastic is present in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Let’s explore each of these points in detail.

Plastic is in the food we eat

A recent study by WWF International, conducted by the University of Newcastle, Australia, reveals that we consume an average of 5 grams of plastic every week—the equivalent of eating a credit card weekly. Due to inadequate infrastructure and civic awareness, this number could be much higher in India. Common foods and beverages containing microplastics include beer, fish, shellfish, and salt.

A report by a non-profit consumer group found that 84 out of 85 supermarket foods and fast foods tested in the United States contained “plasticizers” known as phthalates, chemicals used to make plastic more durable. Additionally, 79% of the food samples contained bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols, although levels were lower than those found in 2009 tests.

While none of the phthalate levels exceeded limits set by U.S. and European regulators, the report emphasized that no level of phthalates has been confirmed as safe by scientists. This does not guarantee the safety of the foods we consume.

Plastic is in the water we drink

The Thoothukudi-based Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) recently published a report titled ‘Assessment of Microplastics in Coastal Areas, Estuaries, and Lakes in Tamil Nadu.’ For the study, water, sediment, fish, and shellfish samples were collected from 112 locations across 18 districts in the state—51 coastal locations in 14 coastal districts, 19 estuaries, and 42 lakes, including popular tourist spots such as Kodaikanal, Ooty, and Yercaud.

The results revealed that not a single waterbody was free from microplastics. In coastal waters, the abundance of microplastics ranged from 23 to 155 items per liter of water and 37 to 189 items per kilogram of sediment.

According to the fisheries department, an average consumer in Tamil Nadu consumes 9.83 kg of fish per year. At this rate, people living along the coast consume 709 items of microplastics annually, while those in the Gulf of Mannar consume 830 items, in Palk Bay 792 items, and on the Coromandel Coast 1,076 items.

Plastic is in the air we breathe 

A study led by Portsmouth Hospitals Trust in the UK reveals that people breathe in up to 7,000 microplastic particles daily from clothes, toys, and furnishings. The same study found that inhalation is a major contributor to human intake of micro- and nanoplastics and their exposure rates.

Exposure to airborne microplastics can occur through inhalation, penetration through skin pores, and ingestion of contaminated foods. The extent to which microplastics infiltrate the human body depends on their properties, size, shape, and an individual’s metabolism, susceptibility, and lung anatomy.

The characteristics of microplastics make them dangerously potent vectors for toxins and pathogens. Microplastics often have large specific surface areas and are predominantly hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. These properties enable airborne microplastics to act as “Trojan Horses,” carrying and hiding harmful substances inside the bodies of the animals or humans who inhale, absorb, or ingest them.

Conclusion

Plastic is everywhere. You can hate it, but you can’t avoid it. What was once a remarkable innovation has been exploited by us. Our “chalta hai” attitude could have dangerous consequences if we don’t manage this well.

In the next series, I will delve into the impacts of plastic being omnipresent. If you’re interested in solving the plastic problem in India and passionate about giving back to society, please consider subscribing to this newsletter. We will discuss everything about plastic and how we can make a positive change in our society.

Until then, I bid you farewell.

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