Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in size and do not dissolve in water. They come from many sources, such as cosmetics, clothing, construction, food packaging, and industrial activities. These tiny plastics can harm the environment by entering ecosystems like oceans, rivers, and soil. Scientists have developed ways to reduce the impact of microplastics on the environment.

The term "microplastics" is used to describe these small plastic pieces, which are different from larger plastic waste. There are two main types of microplastics. Primary microplastics are tiny plastic pieces that are already 5 millimeters or smaller when they enter the environment. Examples include microfibers from clothing, microbeads, glitter, and small plastic pellets called nurdles. Secondary microplastics form when larger plastic items, like water bottles, plastic bags, or fishing nets, break down over time due to natural processes such as sunlight, wind, or water.

Both types of microplastics remain in the environment in large amounts, especially in water and marine ecosystems, where they act as a form of water pollution. They are also found in the air and on land, including indoors and outdoors.

Because some plastics take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down, microplastics are often eaten by animals and plants. This can harm the health of soil ecosystems on land. Over time, microplastics may break down further into even smaller pieces called nanoplastics, which are smaller than 1 micrometer (1/1000 of a millimeter). Nanoplastics are too small to see with the naked eye.

Classification

The term "microplastics" was first widely used in a 2004 paper by Professor Richard Thompson, a marine biologist at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom. However, earlier use of the term in connection with marine pollution has been found in writings from the early 1990s, throughout the 1990s, and into the early 2000s. Evidence also shows that researchers who first used the term had studied the topic as early as the late 1980s.

Microplastics are common today. In 2014, scientists estimated that between 15 and 51 trillion individual pieces of microplastic exist in the world’s oceans. These pieces are estimated to weigh between 93,000 and 236,000 metric tons. Over time, sunlight, wind, waves, and other natural forces cause plastic to break down into small pieces 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 and cosmetics, or in air-blasting technology. In some cases, they are used in medicine to deliver drugs. Microplastic "scrubbers" in exfoliating products have replaced natural ingredients like ground almond shells, oatmeal, and pumice. These scrubbers are also used in air-blasting technology to clean machinery, engines, and boat hulls. As they wear down, they may absorb harmful substances like cadmium, chromium, and lead. While many companies have reduced the use of microbeads, some bioplastic microbeads still take a long time to break down, especially in cosmetics.

Secondary microplastics are small plastic pieces created when larger plastic items break down physically or chemically. This can happen in the ocean or on land. Exposure to sunlight, water, and other forces weakens plastic over time, causing it to fragment into tiny pieces. This process is called fragmentation. Some studies suggest that biodegradable plastics may break down more easily than non-biodegradable plastics in water.

Microplastic fibers enter the environment when synthetic clothing is washed or when tires wear down during use. Tires, which contain synthetic rubber, create tiny plastic and rubber particles that become dust. Plastic pellets, used to make other products, can also enter ecosystems through spills or accidents.

A 2015 report by the Norwegian Environment Agency suggested that classifying microplastics as "primary" sources is helpful because they come from human activities, such as manufacturing, rather than from natural breakdown.

Nanoplastics are smaller than 1 micrometer (1,000 nanometers) or even smaller than 100 nanometers. Scientists are still studying how common nanoplastics are in the environment. Some believe they form during the breakdown of microplastics, while others worry they may be a hidden danger due to their tiny size. Nanoplastics have been found in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre. New tools, such as advanced microscopes and chemical tests, may help scientists better understand nanoplastic levels in the future. Fluorescence could help identify and count nanoplastics quickly and inexpensively. Researchers have also developed methods to group nanoplastics together for easier study.

Nanoplastics may harm the environment and human health. Their small size allows them to enter cells and disrupt normal cell functions. They can mix with fats and may be absorbed into the cells of fish, accumulating in organs like the gallbladder, pancreas, and brain. Nanoplastics may also affect bone cell activity, leading to improper bone development. Studies on zebrafish show that nanoplastics can cause stress responses that change glucose and cortisol levels, possibly affecting behavior. In freshwater organisms like Daphnia, nanoplastics can harm growth and reproduction and trigger stress responses. Nanoplastics can also absorb harmful chemicals, such as antibiotics, which may help antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread through soil.

Sources of microplastics

Scientists study microplastics in the environment using water-related methods. These include collecting samples of tiny ocean creatures called plankton, examining sand and mud from the ocean floor, observing how animals eat microplastics, and studying how chemicals in the water interact with microplastics.

Microplastics are also found in the air. A 2017 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said microplastics are a major cause of pollution in the ocean. These tiny plastic pieces can absorb heavy metals from seawater.

Microplastics can enter soil through several ways, such as when plastic films used in farming break down, when compost or treated sewage is added to soil, or when plastic particles fall from the air onto the ground. How microplastics spread in soil depends on how land is used, farming methods, and weather conditions.

Studies show microplastics can be found in soil even when no plastic is directly added to it. This means that microplastics can build up over time through many small sources.

People mainly get microplastics by eating them. These tiny plastics are found in everyday items like drinking water, bottled water, seafood, salt, sugar, tea bags, milk, and other foods.

In 2017, more than 8 million tons of plastic entered the ocean, which is more than 33 times the amount of plastic already in the ocean by 2015. One result of this is that ocean animals eat microplastics. Studies estimate that Europeans eat about 11,000 microplastic particles per person each year from eating shellfish.

Microplastics can get into drinking water in many ways, such as from rainwater running off the ground, wastewater from homes and factories, and from the air. Rainwater runoff and wastewater are the main sources of microplastics in water, but more research is needed to understand exactly where these microplastics come from. Plastic bottles and bottle caps used in bottled water have been shown to be sources of microplastics in drinking water.

Microplastics are also found in soil, especially in farmland. These tiny plastics can move through the water system of plants and reach their roots, stems, leaves, and fruits. When microplastics enter soil through compost, sewage, or plastic films used in farming, they can pollute food and increase the risk of people eating them. A 2023 study found that microplastics can harm soil health and reduce crop growth by affecting the tiny living organisms in soil and how much water soil can hold.

Many man-made fibers, such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex, can come off clothing during washing and stay in the environment. Each piece of clothing washed can release more than 1,900 microplastic fibers, with fleeces releasing the most. For a typical load of 6 kilograms (13 pounds) of clothing, more than 700,000 fibers can be released in one wash.

Washing machine filters can help reduce the number of microplastic fibers that go into wastewater treatment plants.

These fibers can travel through the food chain, from small ocean animals like plankton to large animals like whales. Polyester is the most common fiber used in clothing because it is cheap and easy to make. However, this fiber contributes to microplastic pollution in land, air, and water. Washing clothes releases over 100 fibers per liter of water, which may cause health problems from chemicals like dyes and plastic softeners. These fibers are found in 33% of all fibers in homes.

Studies have measured microplastic fiber levels in homes and outside. Indoor levels range from 1.0 to 60.0 fibers per cubic meter of air, while outdoor levels are much lower, from 0.3 to 1.5 fibers per cubic meter. Indoors, about 1,586 to 11,130 fibers fall on each square meter of floor every day, adding up to about 190 to 670 fibers per milligram of dust.

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

In one study, 93% of bottled water from 11 different brands had microplastics, with an average of 325 particles per liter. Brands like Nestlé Pure Life and Gerolsteiner had the most microplastics, with 930 and 807 particles per liter, respectively. San Pellegrino had the least. Bottled water had twice as much microplastic as tap water. A 2024 study found 240,000 tiny plastic fragments per liter of water, with 90% smaller than 1 micrometer.

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

In 2020, researchers found that baby bottles made of polypropylene, when used with warm liquids, can release microplastics. Infants in 48 regions could be exposed to between 14,600 and 4,550,000 microplastic particles per day. Similar issues occur with other polypropylene products, like lunchboxes. In 2021, studies showed that silicone baby bottle nipples can break down over time from repeated heating, releasing tiny silicone particles. A baby using these degraded nipples for a year could eat more than 660,000 particles.

Common single-use plastic items, like plastic cups or paper cups with a plastic lining, release trillions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into water during normal use. These items end up in the ocean, and policies that reduce single-use plastics are effective ways to fight plastic pollution.

Plastics are widely used in construction and renovation. Activities like building, repairing roads, or renovating homes 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 thrown away, adding to plastic waste. These plastics are hard to recycle and end up in landfills, where they break down slowly and may leak into soil or release airborne microplastics.

Because of the environmental harm from plastic waste in construction, better waste management is needed. While some research has explored using plastic waste in construction to reduce waste, construction itself is not environmentally friendly. Adding plastic to concrete may help reduce waste, but it could also cause microplastics to leak into the environment. More research is needed to understand these issues.

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

Exposure pathways

Airborne microplastics have been found in the air, both inside and outside. These tiny plastic pieces can be carried by the wind to faraway places. A 2017 study found indoor air had between 1.0 and 60.0 microfibers per cubic meter, with 33% of those being microplastics. Another study in Tehran 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 have also been found in snow and in "clean" air high in remote mountain areas. Like freshwater and soil, more research is needed to understand the full effects of airborne microplastics.

A growing concern about plastic pollution in the ocean is the use of microplastics. These are tiny plastic pieces smaller than 5 millimeters, often found in soaps, face washes, and other products that remove dead skin. When these products are washed down the drain, the microplastics enter the ocean but often escape the first filters in wastewater treatment plants. These tiny plastics harm ocean life, especially animals that filter water, because they can be eaten and cause illness. Microplastics are hard to clean up because of their size, so people can help by choosing products that use safer exfoliants instead of plastic beads.

Because plastic is used everywhere, microplastics are now common in the ocean. They are found on beaches, in surface water, in the deep sea, and in ocean sediment. Microplastics are also mixed with other ocean particles, such as dead plant and animal material and soil carried by rivers. The number of microplastics in an area often depends on how many people live nearby and how close it is to cities.

Plastic pollution has been found in the Antarctic and Arctic, including in sea ice. In 2009, plastic was first discovered in Antarctic sea ice, with 96 microplastic particles from 14 types of plastic found in a sample from East Antarctica. The larger size of these particles suggests pollution from nearby sources.

Microplastics are found in water systems worldwide. A 2011 study found an average of 37.8 microplastic pieces per square meter in sediment from Lake Huron. Other studies have found microplastics in all the Great Lakes, with an average of 43,000 particles per square kilometer. In Poland, a 2019 study found microplastics in all 30 lakes studied, 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 these were fibers from broken-down plastic, clothing, or air pollution. The highest microplastic concentration ever found in freshwater was 4,000 particles per kilogram in the Rhine River.

Researchers found microplastics in Richland Creek in Western North Carolina. Ninety percent of these were fibers, likely from clothing, city runoff, or particles falling from the air.

Many microplastics are expected to end up in soil, but few studies have looked at this outside of water systems. In wetlands, areas with less plant life have higher microplastic levels. Some scientists think fibers from washing machines might enter soil if wastewater plants fail to remove them completely. Soil animals like earthworms and mites may also help create microplastics by breaking down plastic they eat. More research is needed to understand this better. Studies have linked the use of organic waste materials to microplastics in soil, but most research only notes their presence without details about how they got there or how many there are.

A 2015 study of 15 salt brands in China found more microplastics in sea salt than in lake, rock, or well salt. This is because sea salt is more likely to be polluted by ocean water, while other salts are often contaminated during production. A 2017 estimate said people who eat seafood may swallow 11,000 microplastic pieces each year. A 2019 study found 440 microplastic particles in a kilogram of sugar, 110 in a kilogram of salt, and 94 in a liter of bottled water.

Composition

The makeup of microplastics is varied. A 2023 study examined some fish species and discovered that "about 80% of the microplastics found were shaped like fibers and were made of polyethylene (25%), polyester (20%), and polyamide (10%). Most microplastic pieces observed were black (61%) or blue (27%) in color."

Microplastics contain two types of chemicals. The first type includes additives and materials used to make plastics, such as monomers and oligomers. Additives are chemicals added during plastic production to give plastics qualities like color and transparency and to improve their strength and durability. These chemicals help plastics resist damage from ozone, heat, light, mold, bacteria, humidity, and improve their resistance to mechanical stress, heat, and electricity. 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. These chemicals are not added during production but are absorbed by microplastics from their surroundings.

Effects on the environment

In 2008, a meeting of scientists at the University of Washington at Tacoma concluded that microplastics were a problem in the ocean. This was based on evidence showing that these tiny plastic pieces were found in the environment, stayed in the water for a long time, could build up over time, and were eaten by sea creatures.

A review of scientific studies published in 2019 by the European Union found that microplastics were present in all parts of the environment. At that time, there was no clear proof that microplastics caused widespread harm to ecosystems, but scientists warned that if pollution continued at the same rate, risks could become common in the future.

By 2020, microplastics had been found in freshwater areas such as marshes, streams, lakes, and rivers across 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 found were microplastics, ranging in size from 0.355mm to 4.75mm. Microplastics were also found in high mountain regions far from where they originated.

In 2020, research in China found plastic particles in ocean sediments that were much older than the invention of plastics. This suggests that studies of microplastics in surface ocean water may have underestimated their presence.

In September 2021, Hurricane Larry passed over Newfoundland, Canada, and during the storm’s strongest point, it carried 113,000 microplastic particles per square meter each day. Scientists used models and analysis of the plastic types to determine that these microplastics likely came from the ocean, as the hurricane traveled through the North Atlantic garbage patch.

A 2025 study in China showed that typhoons can move microplastics from the ocean to land. Research on Typhoon Gaemi found that it deposited up to 12,722 microplastic particles per square meter each day in Ningbo, with a peak rate 54 times higher than normal levels in Beijing. The study explained that typhoons pull microplastics from deep in the ocean and carry them into the air through sea spray, spreading them to land.

By 2023, research on microplastic pollution had grown quickly, with most studies focusing on marine and estuary environments. Scientists have called for better sharing of research data to help find solutions.

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

The long-term effects of plastic breaking down in the environment and releasing harmful chemicals have been mostly ignored. Scientists refer to this as "toxicity debt," meaning that large amounts of plastic in the environment will eventually decay and release toxins over time.

Microplastics are tiny, smaller than 5mm, and can be eaten by all living things. They enter the food chain at the bottom and can become trapped in animal tissue.

Microplastics and even smaller plastic particles can be taken into animals’ bodies through eating or breathing. Scientists first showed that these particles build up in animals by exposing them to high amounts of microplastics over time. These particles were found in the digestive systems of some worms and in the gills and digestive tracts of crabs. Fish often mistake microplastics for food, which can block their stomachs and send incorrect signals to their brains. However, a 2021 study showed that fish eat microplastics by accident, not on purpose. The first time microplastics were found in wild animals was in the skin of salmon, where they were mistaken for viruses. This discovery happened by chance when scientists were studying fish skin to isolate a substance called chitin.

A study along the Rio de la Plata estuary in Argentina found microplastics in the stomachs of 11 species 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 leave an animal’s body, compared to 2 days for normal digestion. If microplastics get stuck in an animal’s gills, they may never leave. When animals that have eaten 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 also absorb harmful chemicals, which can 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 body parts. Zooplankton eat microplastics because they release chemicals similar to those made by phytoplankton, such as dimethyl sulfide. Plastics like plastic bags, food containers, and bottle caps can also smell like dimethyl sulfide. 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 sea cucumbers can eat much more plastic than sand, suggesting they may choose to eat plastic. This contradicts the idea that sea cucumbers eat anything without choosing.

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 created. These old samples help scientists study how microplastics have affected water ecosystems over time. A 2025 study 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, research on similar tiny materials called nanomaterials can help predict possible effects. Studies in labs and on living organisms have shown that microplastics and nanoplastics can harm the body by causing physical stress, cell death, inflammation, and changes in how cells function. Microplastics have been linked to health problems like breathing issues and inflammation, but it is not yet clear if these effects are directly caused by microplastics. These tiny particles are found in the brain, especially in materials like polyethylene.

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

A study from Harvard University found that microplastics are connected to health issues such as inflammation, cell death, effects on the lungs and liver, changes in the gut’s bacteria, and altered levels of fats and hormones in the body.

Many studies have shown that microplastics can cause inflammation in the human body. One lab study found that very small particles made of low-toxicity materials, like polystyrene, can cause inflammation because of their large surface area. Another study found signs of inflammation and debris in human joints from polyethylene used in medical implants, such as knee and hip replacements.

Lab tests have also shown that certain polystyrene nanoparticles can cause oxidative stress, cell death, and changes in how cells manage waste in a way that depends on the situation. However, no major harm was found in the livers, intestines, lungs, hearts, or other organs of mice after they were given a mix of microplastics to eat.

Recent research has shown that microplastics and nanoplastics can harm how cells use energy in both lab tests and living organisms. When human lung cells were exposed to tiny, negatively charged polystyrene nanoparticles, channels that help move potassium ions became more active. This caused an increase in electrical currents and the movement of other ions. In addition, 30 nm polystyrene nanoparticles caused large, bubble-like structures in cells, which blocked the movement of proteins and led to the formation of 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 can cause harm, including inflammation, immune system problems, tissue damage, digestive issues, and breathing problems. 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, which might lead to blood vessel disease and long-term health problems.

Prevention

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

Some researchers suggest burning plastics to create energy, a process called energy recovery. This method uses the energy stored in plastics instead of letting it escape into the air in landfills. However, unlike recycling, this process does not reduce the total amount of plastic produced. Recycling is considered a better solution because it reduces the amount of plastic waste.

Biodegradation is another way to manage microplastic waste. In this process, tiny living things called microorganisms use enzymes to break down synthetic plastics. Once broken down, these plastics can be used as energy or a carbon source. These microbes could also help treat sewage wastewater, reducing the amount of microplastics that enter the environment.

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

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

The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch organization, has proposed plans to remove 90% of ocean microplastics. However, most experts believe this plan is unlikely to work because it only targets plastics larger than 2 cm (which are not classified as microplastics), is difficult to build, and only collects plastic from the top 3 meters of water, where most microplastics are not found.

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

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

Microplastics are hard to find because they are so small. Scientists use light microscopes to count and measure them and Raman microspectrometry to identify their type. Some microbes have been engineered to detect microplastics by producing a glowing protein.

Methods to detect microplastics and nanoplastics are not yet standardized. Differences in how samples are collected and analyzed can affect results. For example, using larger mesh sizes in water samples may miss smaller particles, leading to incorrect measurements. Variations in how samples are prepared and measured can also cause differences in results between laboratories.

Teaching people about recycling is another way to reduce microplastic pollution. While this is a smaller solution, education can help reduce littering, especially in cities where plastic waste is common. 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 created The Garbage Patch State to raise awareness about pollution, supported by UNESCO and the Italian Ministry of the Environment.

In February 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started the "Trash-Free Waters" program to stop single-use plastics from entering waterways and the ocean. By 2018, the EPA worked with the United Nations Environment Programme and the Peace Corps to clean up the Caribbean Sea. The EPA also funded projects in the San Francisco Bay Area to reduce 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 look for microplastics in coastal water samples. Many organizations work to reduce microplastic pollution and spread awareness. Global efforts aim to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which seeks to stop marine pollution by 2025.

The Clean Oceans Initiative, started 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 remove pollution from waterways before it reached the ocean. The project focused on reducing plastic waste in rivers and coastal areas. Additional partners joined in 2020, and by December 2023, the initiative had funded nearly €3.2 billion, more than 80% of its €4 billion goal. Over 20 million people were expected to benefit from projects like improved wastewater treatment in Sri Lanka, China, Egypt, and South Africa, and better waste management in Togo and Senegal.

In February 2022, the initiative increased its funding goal to €4 billion by 2025. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development became a partner in 2023. By early 2023, the program had used €2.6 billion to support 60 projects benefiting more than 20 million people in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

Policy and legislation

Groups are working to remove microplastics from products because they harm the environment. One group, "Beat the Microbead," helps remove plastics from personal care items like lotions and shampoos. Another group, the Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, runs the Global Microplastics Initiative, which collects water samples to study how microplastics spread in nature. UNESCO supports research on microplastics because their pollution affects many countries. These groups will continue to push companies to stop using microplastics to protect ecosystems.

In 2018, China stopped accepting recyclable materials from other countries. This made other countries rethink their recycling plans. The Yangtze River in China sends 55% of all plastic waste into the ocean. On average, the river carries 500,000 pieces of plastic, including microplastics, per square kilometer.

In 2019, Scientific American reported that China is responsible for dumping 30% of all plastic waste into the ocean.

The European Commission has studied the effects of microplastics on the environment. In 2018, the European Commission asked scientists to review evidence about microplastic pollution. A report was completed in 2019, and the European Commission used it to decide if new rules should be made to reduce microplastic pollution.

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

The European Union produces about 10% of the world’s microplastics, or about 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 requires companies to recycle and reduce waste from products like plastic packaging. It also plans to stop adding microplastics to products and to capture more microplastics during a product’s life. The plan will look at ways to reduce microplastics from sources like tires and clothing. The European Commission also plans to update rules about treating wastewater to address microplastic pollution and protect drinking water from microplastics.

In October 2023, a rule in the EU banned the use of synthetic polymer microparticles.

Haiti does not have a system for collecting and treating waste. As a result, plastic waste is often dumped into urban water systems, where it breaks down into microplastics. Because of warm temperatures and long daylight hours, plastic in waterways may break down faster. Plastic waste in Port-au-Prince Bay harms the environment and increases risks from pollution and ocean acidification.

In 2012, Haiti banned the use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers for food. More than a third of Caribbean countries have also banned single-use plastic bags and polystyrene containers.

In 2013, Haiti banned the use of polystyrene containers for food again. In 2018, officials said they would enforce the ban by sending teams to check for violations.

In 2024, Hong Kong started its first phase of a plastic restriction rule. The government made videos to encourage people to use their own utensils and shopping bags instead of disposable ones. Stores are not allowed to give customers plastic items.

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 encourages recycling education. However, the law does not punish companies that still use microplastics.

In England, a 2017 law banned microbeads in rinse-off personal care products like exfoliants. Companies that break this law must pay fines. If fines are not paid, they may be forced to stop production until they follow the rules.

In the United States, some states have taken action. Illinois banned cosmetics with microplastics in 2014. At the federal level, the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, signed by President Obama, banned microbeads in rinse-off products like toothpaste and face wash. The law took effect in 2017 for manufacturing and 2018 for selling products. In 2020, California defined microplastics in drinking water to 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 and study plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. President Trump approved the law in 2018.

By 2025, sixteen towns along New Jersey’s coast had passed rules to reduce microplastic pollution from construction sites.

Studies debunk

Studies about microplastics have been widely questioned, and some have been shown to be incorrect. Research on the amount of microplastics found in brain tissue has faced challenges because fat in human tissue might be mistaken for polyethylene, a type of plastic, which could make the results appear larger than they are. Fats in human tissue can also create fumes similar to those from polyethylene and PVC plastics, leading to errors in laboratory tests that look for microplastics in organs. Small pieces from standard latex and nitrile gloves, which are coated with a type of salt, can fall off during testing. These pieces are similar in size and shape to microscopic polyethylene particles, which can trick infrared light techniques used to detect microplastics. This can cause tests to show more plastic particles per square millimeter in examined organs than actually exist.