The European Union's bold ban on microplastics is now under threat from industry challenges and regulatory backpedaling.
Hélène Duguy reports for Euronews.
In short:
- The EU's comprehensive ban on intentionally added microplastics is being challenged by industry stakeholders seeking exemptions.
- Microplastics, pervasive and persistent, pose significant health risks, including increased chances of heart attacks and strokes.
- Regulatory backpedaling includes negotiations to potentially narrow the ban's scope, raising concerns about the effectiveness of environmental legislation.
Why this matters:
One of the primary difficulties in instituting bans or regulations on microplastics is their widespread use across various industries, including cosmetics, clothing and packaging. These particles result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, making it challenging to control their release into the environment.
Check out EHN's extensive reporting on the health impacts of microplastics, including how they disrupt our digestion and microbiome and can combine with pollution to become even more toxic.
