Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) and persistent organic pollutants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are frequently reported food web contaminants. This review explores the literature on the toxicology of MNPs and their role as secondary vectors of persistent chemical pollutants, focusing on the distinction between the hazard of polymer matrices and that of associated organic pollutants. While MNPs may facilitate the ingestion of phthalates and other organic pollutants, the latter normally are ingested in concentrations several orders of magnitude higher than those carried by plastics. MNPs may be retained within the body beyond the normal gastrointestinal transit time and accumulate in the placenta, gonads, frontal cortex and atherosclerotic plaques. Food safety regulations only partially cover chemical pollutants that may be associated with MNPs, while the potential for physical damage caused by MNPs is currently poorly characterised, often varying significantly. We discuss the challenges in the environmental and health risk assessment of MNPs and associated pollutants, which are exacerbated by the lack of both analytical and toxicological data, as well as by the limitations of regulatory and retroactive toxicology approaches.

Marine plastic pollution continues to increase despite decades of international regulatory activity, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing global governance arrangements. Existing legal instruments were not specifically designed to address plastic pollution in the marine environment and only target certain aspects of marine pollution. Despite the need for a global, legally binding plastic treaty, the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) process to address plastic pollution reached a deadlock in August 2025, where delegates failed to achieve consensus on fundamental definitions and upstream plastic production control. This article explores the specific political and procedural factors that have prevented the reaching of an agreement. We argue that the deadlock in the INC negotiations reflects three deep structural barriers. In particular, the economic dependence of some states on fossil fuels, which has led them to oppose essential upstream measures aimed at diminishing plastic production; the consensus-based procedural rules of the negotiations empowered a small minority of states to block ambitious measures, effectively limiting the treaty’s potential; and unresolved debates regarding financial mechanisms and responsibilities widened the gap between high-consumption economies and developing nations. Improving legal instruments, procedural strategies, clear definitions of the scope of the treaty and the application of robust economic safeguards are necessary to overcome the deadlock. This perspective describes the evolution of international plastic governance, synthesises the reported outcomes of the INC process and discusses structural and political obstacles to a strong global treaty. It also examines possible pathways to overcome the current deadlock while emphasising the need for national and regional policies, such as single-use plastic bans, circular economy and regulation of the international trade of plastic waste.

Microplastics have profound and wide-ranging consequences for our oceans, including impacts on marine organisms, the carbon sink function and food webs. The accumulation of marine microplastics threatens to push certain populations and systems past irreversible tipping points with potentially catastrophic effects. Scientists and policymakers must work together to understand these risks and ensure that our production and consumption of plastic, the drivers of increasing concentrations of microplastics in our oceans, stay within a safe operating zone. This article reviews current sources and trends of marine microplastic pollution, outlines the theoretical basis for tipping points, summarises the mechanisms by which potential marine microplastic tipping points are at risk and proposes a conceptual framework to address the issue with a specific emphasis on an effective science–policy interface dedicated to marine microplastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is increasingly recognized as a transboundary problem, yet most studies remain descriptive and locally focused. This study develops a connectivity-based framework to analyze transboundary marine litter along the central Caribbean coast of Colombia, integrating hierarchical classification, quantitative indices and source attribution. A total of 625 items were analyzed, of which 93.9% were plastics, dominated by food-related items (91.5%) and specifically beverage bottles (84.5% of total items). The litter assemblage exhibited high structural complexity, with 178 product types, 159 brands and 145 producers, alongside high diversity (Shannon index H′ = 4.13; Simpson index 1–D = 0.96) and low dominance (Berger–Parker index = 0.12). Corporate metrics indicated diffuse responsibility (Corporate Dominance Index = 0.19; corporate Shannon diversity = 3.72), with no single producer controlling the system. Functional indices revealed moderate-to-high mobility potential (0.60) and high persistence potential (0.90), supporting long-distance transport and prolonged environmental retention. Source attribution identified a fully transboundary system (Transboundary Source Index = 1) involving more than 45 countries, with dominant contributions from Panama (326 items) and China (140 items), followed by inputs from Malaysia, Ecuador, Venezuela, USA and Mexico, and additional signals from African, European and Asian regions. Domain analysis showed dominance of regional inputs (WEST ≈ 55%), followed by maritime sources (≈39%), with smaller contributions from eastern (≈5%) and transatlantic (≈2%) pathways. Connectivity metrics (Source Dominance Index = 0.45; Transboundary Connectivity Index = 2.41) confirm a structured multi-source system influenced by regional circulation, maritime activities and long-distance transport, including transatlantic connections. These results demonstrate that marine plastic assemblages are not random accumulations but connectivity-driven anthropogenic systems, structured by hierarchical organization, material properties and multi-scale transport processes.

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as emerging contaminants in drinking water, yet data from Central Europe remain scarce. This pilot study provides the first preliminary quantitative assessment of MPs occurrence in municipal tap water in Wrocław, Poland, a region reliant on tap water for drinking purposes. Composite samples were collected from residential buildings and processed using Fenton oxidation and high-density ZnCl2 separation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for analysis. Empirical cumulative distribution functions (ECDFs) of particle size distribution were plotted on a logarithmic diameter scale. MP concentrations ranged from 23 to 45 particles/L, with fibers representing the dominant morphology. FTIR identification revealed that polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were the most abundant polymers. These findings provide preliminary occurrence data from five residential composite samples and methodological information for future larger-scale monitoring.

Plastic microbeads are intentionally added microplastics, widely used in personal care and cosmetic products with documented risks to human health and the environment. Although several jurisdictions across the world have adopted explicit legislative bans on plastic microbeads, legislative action in India remains indirect, fragmented and inconsistently enforced. This study critically examines the scope, legal architecture and enforcement capacity of provisions in the Indian regulatory landscape governing plastic microbeads. It evaluates standards prescribed under the Bureau of Indian Standards 2017.) and the Cosmetics Rules 2020,). The findings show that the current regulatory landscape in India is predominantly health risk-centric, relies on non-binding or indirectly enforceable standards, lacks independent statutory definitions, provides limited product coverage and lacks standardised analytical protocols. The study proposes a legally executable and environmentally grounded pathway utilising sections 3, 5 and 6 of the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986..) to establish a comprehensive prohibition on plastic microbeads. It also evaluates Corporate Social Responsibility spending under the Companies Act (2013). as a possible future complement to this pathway. Also, the pathway is assessed against ongoing negotiations towards a global plastics treaty. A phased implementation roadmap is outlined to support regulatory coherence, multistakeholder coordination, compliance monitoring and transition to sustainable alternatives.