NEW DELHI: The Indian government has acknowledged that while studies confirm the presence of microplastics in the human body, there is currently no conclusive research on their physiological or psychological effects. This comes amid global concerns over recent findings suggesting that microplastics may impede blood circulation in the brain.
Responding to a query in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute for Research in Environmental Health (NIREH) had conducted a systematic review of existing studies. However, the review found a lack of dose-response and toxicity exposure studies on microplastics, highlighting a significant research gap.
A multi-agency committee, comprising representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), ICMR, the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), and the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal. While the report acknowledges studies detecting microplastics in human tissue, it confirms that there is no definitive research on their health implications.
To combat plastic pollution, the government banned single-use plastic items with high littering potential from July 1, 2022. Additionally, the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines, mandating plastic recycling, reuse of rigid plastic packaging, and incorporation of recycled plastic content in new products. According to the ministry, since the enforcement of EPR rules, 114 lakh tonnes of plastic packaging waste have been recycled.
Further, the government has taken steps to regulate microplastics in personal care products. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has, since November 2017, classified plastic microbeads—tiny solid plastic particles commonly used in exfoliating scrubs—as unsafe for use in cosmetics. This restriction was formalised under the Cosmetics Rules issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Despite these initiatives, environmentalists and health experts argue that India must expand its research efforts to assess the health risks posed by microplastics. Recent international studies have raised alarms over potential neurological and cardiovascular risks associated with their accumulation in the body. With microplastics now found in human lungs, blood, and even placentas, scientists stress the urgent need for dedicated studies on their long-term effects.
While the government has taken steps to curb plastic pollution, no new regulations have been announced to address plastic products that are particularly prone to fragmentation into microplastics, such as synthetic fibres, plastic packaging, and industrial plastic waste. Environmental activists urge India to follow the lead of the European Union, which has tightened restrictions on microplastics in textiles and industrial processes.
As concerns mount over the potential health hazards of microplastic exposure, the question remains: will India prioritise research and introduce stricter regulations, or will the issue remain an uncharted threat?
Based on information provided by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) to Central Pollution Control Board, the plastic waste generated in India for the year 2022-23 was 4.13 million tonnes.
