WHO calls for more research into microplastics and a crackdown on plastic pollution

India

healthysoch.com

New Delhi, August 24, 2019 :

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a further assessment of Microplastics in the environment and their potential impacts on human health, following the release of an analysis of current research related to microplastics in drinking-water. The Organization also calls for a reduction in plastic pollution to benefit the environment and reduce human exposure.

According to the analysis, which summarizes the latest knowledge on Microplastics in drinking-water, microplastics larger than 150 micrometres are not likely to be absorbed in the human body and uptake of smaller particles is expected to be limited. Absorption and distribution of very small Microplastic particles including in the nano size range may, however, be higher, although the data is extremely limited.

WHO recommends drinking-water suppliers and regulators prioritize removing microbial pathogens and chemicals that are known risks to human health, such as those causing deadly diarrhoea diseases. This has a double advantage: wastewater and drinking-water treatment systems that treat faecal content and chemicals are also effective in removing microplastics …