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A committee investigating the effects of microplastics on human health reported the presence of microplastics in human saliva, blood, intestines, and lungs. The report was ordered by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) of India, from the ministry of environment, forest, and climate change (MoEFCC).

Details of the physical and mental effects of microplastics on humans were asked to be reported by the tribunal. Microplastics refer to plastic parts smaller than 5 mm.

For that, a committee consisting of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), and other expert bodies was formed.

The report stated that microplastics enter human bodies and blood through polluted water, plastic waste in drains, lack of facilities to separate fine plastic particles in wastewater treatment plants, and more.

The committee said that the situation worsens as pipes carrying drinking water are also made of plastics including polyethene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, etc.

Plastic used as mulch in agriculture and plastics in urban waste have also added to the plastic particles in the soil. 

Due to the poor management of industrial waste, the contaminated water is not properly treated. This results in microplastics getting mixed up in the water, eventually making it to the human body and blood.

Microplastics are also thought to leach into water even through laundry detergent.

However, a detailed study of how much plastic enters the human body due to a specific source is yet to be done. 

There is no standard system for measuring how much microplastic is in the air, water, or soil. The ISO is currently studying this.

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