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Context :

• Recently, a new study has revealed that there are serious health threats posed by plastic pollution to seabirds.
• It is also focusing on how ingesting plastic causes organ failure & brain damage in chicks as young as 90 days old.

1. What is Plastic Pollution?

• Plastic pollution means the accumulation of manufactured plastic products in natural environments which harms both humans and wildlife.
• Characteristics of Plastic:
  • Hazardous Substances: Plastic is made from materials that can cause illness.
  • Non Biodegradable: Plastic is designed to last long. So it is hard to break down naturally.
  • Environmental Damage: It usually ends up in landfills & oceans. It is also destroying plant life & endangering wildlife.
• Major Concerns:
  • Plastic Pollution & Climate Change: The production of plastic releases greenhouse gases. It is contributing to climate change. And Its breakdown in the environment further accelerates global warming.
  • Waste Management Issues: Most plastic waste cannot be effectively recycled.

2. The Impact of Plastic Pollution

• Microplastics in Seafood:
  • These were found in 114 marine species.
  • 1/3rd of them end up in human food.
  • Health Impacts:
    • Inflammation
    • DNA damage (Genotoxicity)
    • Oxidative stress
    • Cell death (Apoptosis)
    • Increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
  • Plastic in Packaging (BPA):
    • Harmful Effects: Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in many plastic items that come into direct contact with food.
    • Impact on Health:
      • It also affects brain development in fetuses & babies.
      • It is Linked to high blood pressure type 2 diabetes, & cardiovascular diseases in adults.
    • Microplastics in Bottled Water:
      • WHO Findings (2018): Microplastics found in 90% of bottled water,
      • Only a small percentage free from plastic contamination.
    • Air Pollution from Burning Plastic:
      • Poor waste management also leads to plastic burning. It is releasing harmful particles into the air that we breathe in.
      • It is also contributing to respiratory issues & other health problems.

3. Plastic Pollution and Its Impact on Seabirds

• Recently, A study was conducted to analyse short-tailed shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostris) from Lord Howe Island Australia.
• Key Findings:
  • Seabird chicks were ingested with plastic through their parents before leaving the nest. It is now leading to severe health problems.

Key Health Impacts:

Neurodegeneration:

• Plastic ingestion caused a decline in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is essential for neuron function and survival.
• Impact on Cognitive Functions: Reduction in BDNF could affect brain functions, especially song control (important for communication and courtship).
• This may reduce breeding success and affect mate recognition in species like shearwaters.

International Conventions, National Policies, and Institutional Initiatives for Plastic Pollution

1. International Conventions:

• UNCLOS (1982): Mandate: it requires signatory countries including India to adopt measures to prevent, reduce, & control marine pollution.
• MARPOL (1973, Annex V): it prohibits plastic disposal from ships enforcing zero plastic discharge into the oceans.
• Basel Convention (1989): It Regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous plastic waste. It is ensuring safer handling & disposal across borders.

2. National Policies and Regulations:

• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): it Makes producers of plastic packaging accountable for collection and recycling of plastic waste.
• Single-Use Plastic Ban (2022): it Bans specific single-use plastic items such as cutlery, straws, and carry bags below 75 microns
• Merchant Shipping Rules (2009): it aligns with MARPOL to prevent plastic discharge from ships in Indian waters.
• Draft National Marine Litter Policy: it aims at plastic waste reduction, coastal clean-ups, and capacity building of urban local bodies to manage marine litter.

3. Institutional Initiatives:

• National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR): It conducts beach litter quantification studies and organizes clean-up campaigns to address marine plastic pollution.
• India-Germany Agreement (2021) : it focuses on improving waste management systems in coastal cities.
• UK-India Roadmap 2030: it Promotes marine science research & sustainable coastal ecosystem management to tackle plastic pollution.

Source: DTE