Relevance: GS Paper III – Environment & Pollution; Source: The New Indian Express, recent scientific studies

A new assessment warns that India now faces a rising pollutant: airborne microplastics. These tiny particles—released from tyres, synthetic textiles, road dust, and plastic waste burning—are now found across major Indian cities and even remote regions.

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are plastic particles under 5 mm, while nanoplastics are even smaller. Light and persistent, they remain suspended in the air and travel long distances.

Key Findings

• Detected in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Himalayan areas.
  
• Major sources: tyre abrasion, synthetic clothing fibres, packaging waste, open burning.
  
• Health risks: Can reach lungs, enter bloodstream, trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and potential long-term organ damage.
  

Environmental & Policy Context

• Worsens India’s PM2.5 burden and indicates gaps in solid-waste management.
  
• Relevant frameworks:
  
  • Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016, amended 2022)
    
  • National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
    
  • Swachh Bharat Mission
    
  • Aligns with SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Airborne microplastics add a new, silent layer to India’s pollution crisis, demanding stronger waste control and air-quality monitoring.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

With reference to airborne microplastics, consider the following statements:

1. They can originate from tyre wear and synthetic textiles.
   
2. They can enter human blood after inhalation.
   
3. They are covered under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
   

Which of the statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)