Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

MICROPLASTIC HAZARDS AND POSSIBLE MITIGATION

Pinak Dutta and Mita Dutta

Abstract

Overuse of plastic that live on in nature has created a global crisis on our ecosystem and environment.Small particles of plastic of diameter upto 5mm called microplastics are found everywhere clogging thearteries of our mother nature. Microplastics absorb organic contaminants and act as vectors of potentiallyhazardous chemicals in living system. To save the flora and fauna of the earth from hazards ofmicroplastics,the potential sources of microplastics should be identified and use of plastics be controlled and if possibleterminated, Plastic litters should be recycled and reprocessed. To decrease our dependency on plastics,alternatives should be found. Research on plastic recycling and finding plastic alternativesshould be scaledup. Most importantly common people should be made aware of the hazards of use of plastic.Public opinionin favour of termination of plastic use would be the most powerful weapon in saving the earth from thiscrisis.